Americans with Disabilities Act
In accordance with the requirements of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”) and ADA amendments, the City of Tampa will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.
Employment: City of Tampa does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), and Chapter 12, the Tampa Human Rights Ordinance (Tampa Code).
Effective Communication: City of Tampa will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in City programs, services, and activities. This may include qualified sign language interpreters, accessible documents, and other accessible formats for people who have speech, hearing, or vision disabilities.
Modifications to Policies and Procedures: City of Tampa will make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy the City’s programs, services, and activities.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a City program, service, or activity, should contact the applicable City department or ADA Coordinator at 813-274-3964, TampaADA@tampagov.net or Online Customer Service Center using the ADA Accommodation Request Service at least 48 hours prior to the meeting or event.
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.
Complaints that a City program, service, or activity is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Raquel Pancho, ADA Coordinator, via phone 813-274-3964, email TampaADA@tampagov.net or 306 E. Jackson Street, Tampa, FL 33602.
The City will not place a surcharge on an individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy.
Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Procedure
This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the City of Tampa. The City of Tampa’s Personnel Policy governs employment-related complaints of disability discrimination.
The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Upon request, alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities.
The complaint should be submitted by the grievant or designee as soon as possible but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to:
Raquel Pancho, ADA Coordinator
Office of the Chief of Staff
306 E. Jackson Street, Tampa, Florida 33602
813-274-3964 (711 Florida Relay)
TampaADA@tampagov.net
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, Raquel Pancho, ADA Coordinator or her designee, will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 30 calendar days of the meeting, Raquel Pancho, ADA Coordinator or her designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The response will explain the position of the City of Tampa and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.
If the response from the ADA Coordinator or her designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant or designee may submit a written appeal to the Mayor’s Chief of Staff or his designee within 15 calendar days.
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff or designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff or designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format
accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.
All written complaints received by Raquel Pancho, ADA Coordinator or her designee, appeals to the Mayor’s Chief of Staff or designee, and responses from these two offices will be retained by the City of Tampa for at least three years.