CONTACT INFORMATION

City's ADA Coordinator

650 Merchant St

Vacaville, CA 95688

707-449-5409

707-449-5162 (TTY)

ada@cityofvacaville.com

Click for the full and complete text of the Notice of NonDiscrimination on the Basis of Disability.

ADA NEWS

To assist the City in identifying people with disabilities and seniors who may be vulnerable before, during, or after an emergency or disaster, the Senior and Disabled Persons Registry Program was announced in January 2006.  Information from those who choose to register for the voluntary program will be kept in a confidential database to assist the City or relief organization in attempting to meet the specific needs within the community.

THE ADA & THE CITY OF VACAVILLE

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted on July 26, 1990, provides comprehensive rights and protections to individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, public accommodations, State and local government services, and telecommunications.  The goal of the ADA is to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.  The ADA prohibits all state and local governments and most private businesses from discriminating on the basis of disability.  The ADA covers qualified individuals with physical or mental impairments that substantially limit a major life activity, persons with a record of such impairment, and persons regarded or perceived as having such an impairment.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and portions of California law protect people with disabilities from discrimination.  These state and federal laws ensure that persons with disabilities have communication access; facility access; employment accommodations; program access; and policies, procedures, and practices that avoid discrimination.

The City of Vacaville works to ensure that people with disabilities have access to City programs, services, activities, and facilities. The Access to City Services, Programs, & Activities brochure explains access in more detail.  The ADA Coordinator for the City of Vacaville works in the Department of Public Works and coordinates the City’s efforts to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.  For those planning special events or activities on City property, following the special events guidelines for ADA compliance is encouraged and expected.

In addition to ensuring physical access to City programs and services, the ADA Coordinator develops training programs and resource materials and advises City employees about how to integrate people with disabilities into City programs and activities. The ADA Coordinator is available to answer questions from both citizens and City employees about accommodating persons with disabilities.  The ADA Coordinator can also provide information and referral services about local and regional programs dealing with persons with disabilities.

The City of Vacaville formed an ADA Advisory Committee in August 2004.  The purpose of the Committee is to serve as a liaison between the disabled community and the City of Vacaville.  Comprised of representatives from the disabled community in Vacaville, business owners, and City employees, the Committee is charged with assisting in the prioritization of recommendations in the Transition Plan, contributing to and participating in the Self-Evaluation, and discussing ADA-related issues within the City.

The ADA does not require the City to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.  Removing barriers to accessibility, however, is not only the law, but also a commitment on the part of the City of Vacaville.  The City works to accomplish the following:

• Elimination of requirements that do not allow a person with a disability to participate in a service, program, or activity simply because he or she has a disability;
• Elimination of unnecessary eligibility rules or standards;
• Modification of programs, policies, practices, and procedures when necessary;
• Providing auxiliary aids when necessary to ensure effective communication;
• Providing appropriate signage and structural communication; and
• Elimination of physical barriers to programs and services.

The City of Vacaville continually strives to eliminate barriers that may prevent persons with disabilities from employment opportunities, access to City facilities, or participation in programs, activities, and services.   The City is committed to making its facilities, programs, services, and events accessible to its citizens and the general public.  The Internet in general and the City's website in particular provide an alternative medium for accessing information about City programs, services, and events.  Efforts are being made to ensure that the City website meets all federal accessibility standards.

Complaints that a City program, service, or activity is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to the ADA Coordinator.