City of Johnson City Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Procedure

Effective December 5, 2016 

The mission of ADA compliance team is to ensure that all programs, services, and activities of the City of Johnson City are accessible, and that practical use by individuals with disabilities, regardless of whether they are residents or visitors, is not restricted or hindered in violation of standards relating to individuals with disabilities. Disability is defined, with respect to an individual, as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities.

This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. It may be used to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the City of Johnson City. *

The complaint can be completed electronically** and should contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of grievant and location, date, and description of the problem.  **Alternative means of filing complaints, e.g., personal interviews, recording of the complaint, etc. will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant or designee as soon as possible, but no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the alleged violation.  

Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the ADA Compliance Team or designee will offer to meet with the grievant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. This meeting can occur either in person, over the phone, electronically, or in any format agreeable to the grievant.  Within fifteen (15) calendar days after the meeting, the ADA Compliance Team or designee will respond in writing, in a format accessible to the grievant, and will explain the position of the city and may offer other options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

If the response by the ADA Coordinator or designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the grievant or designee may appeal the decision within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the response to the City Manager.

Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the City Manager or designee will offer to meet with the grievant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. This meeting can occur either in person, over the phone, electronically, or in any format agreeable to the grievant and City Manager. Within fifteen (15) calendar days after the meeting, the City Manager or designee will respond in writing, in a format accessible to the grievant, with a final decision of the city regarding the complaint.

All written complaints and responses (made or received) will be retained by the City of Johnson City for at least three (3) years.

* FOR CITY EMPLOYEES: A complaint by a city employee alleging discrimination on the basis of disability pertaining to employment with the city will be processed pursuant to HR Policy 149 - Employee Grievance Procedure.