ADA & Title 6 Nondiscrimination

View the limited ADA Transition Plan (PDF) that was updated and adopted by the Board of Commissioners on September 6, 2016. Spencer County has formed a work group that is actively working on completing comprehensive self-evaluations of all county buildings and facilities that will be incorporated into the ADA Transition Plan by December, 2017. The self-evaluations of all county buildings and facilities will help the County to determine the extent to which individuals with disabilities may be restricted from access to county facilities. Spencer County will continue to work toward compliance by evaluating the barriers identified in this plan, developing a schedule to eliminate those barriers contingent upon available funding, and periodically updating the plan showing progress toward compliance.

The Plan

• ADA Transition Plan (PDF)

Quick Links

• Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), Spencer County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Employment

Spencer County 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 ADA.

Effective Communication

Spencer County will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in Spencer County’s programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.

Modifications to Policies & Procedures

Spencer County will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in Spencer County offices, even where pets are generally prohibited.

Auxiliary Aid or Service for Effective Communication

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of Spencer County, should contact the office of Kay Erwin, ADA Coordinator, at 812-649-4376 as soon as possible but no later than 3 business days before the scheduled event.

The ADA does not require Spencer County to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

Complaints

Complaints that a program, service, or activity of Spencer County is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Kay Erwin, ADA Coordinator, at 812-649-4376.

No Surcharges

Spencer County will not place a surcharge on a particular 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, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.

Any person who believes that he or she as a member of a protected class, has been discriminated against based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, religion, low income status, or Limited English Proficiency in violation of Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended and its related statutes, regulations and directives, Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) of 1990, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, as amended, and any other Federal nondiscrimination statute may submit a complaint. A complaint may also be submitted by a representative on behalf of such a person.

Investigation

It is the policy of Spencer County to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation of all allegations of discrimination and to take prompt effective corrective action when a claim of discrimination is substantiated.

No one may intimidate, threaten, coerce or engage in other discriminatory conduct against anyone because they have taken action or participated in an action to secure rights protected by the civil rights laws. Any individual alleging such harassment or intimidation may submit a complaint by following these procedures.

Submit Complaint

Any individual who feels that he or she has been discriminated against may submit a written or verbal complaint. The complaint may be communicated to any County supervisor or to the ADA /Title 6 Coordinator. The complaint should be submitted within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. Complaint forms may be found in the County Auditor’s office and the County website. Individuals are not required to use the County’s complaint form. If necessary, the County will help an individual reduce his or her complaint to writing for his or her signature.

Generally a complaint should include the name, address and telephone number of the individual complaining (complainant) and a brief description of the alleged discriminatory conduct including the date of harm. An individual submitting a complaint alleging discrimination may include any relevant evidence, including the names of witnesses and supporting documentation.

Review Complaint

Within 30 days of receipt of the complaint, the Title 6 Coordinator will review the complaint and determine jurisdiction. If Spencer County has sufficient jurisdiction, the Title 6 Coordinator or their designee will conduct an investigation if the allegation based on the information provided and issue a written report of its findings to the complainant. The County will attempt to obtain an informal voluntary resolution to all complaints at the lowest level possible.

A complainant’s identity shall be kept confidential except to the extent necessary to conduct an investigation. All complaints shall be kept confidential.

These procedures do not deny the right of any individual to file a formal complaint with any government agency or affect an individual’s right to seek private counsel for any complaint alleging discrimination.

File Complaints with Government Agencies

Complaints may also be filed with the following government agencies:

• Indiana Department of Transportation Economic Opportunity Division
  100 N Senate, Room N750
  Indianapolis, IN 46204
  Phone: (317) 233-6511
  Fax: (317) 233-0891
• Indianapolis District EEOC Office
  101 West Ohio Street, Suite 1900
  Indianapolis, IN 46204
  Phone: (800) 669-4000
  Fax: (317) 226-7953
  TTY : (800) 669-6820
• Indiana Civil Rights Commission
  100 N Senate Avenue, Room N103
  Indianapolis, IN 46204
  Toll Free: (800) 628-2909
  Phone: (317) 232-2600
  Fax: (317) 232-6560
  Hearing Impaired: (800) 743-3336