WHEREAS, the Gail Borden Library District (“Library District”) is committed to ensuring that its activities, programs, services, information, and facilities are equally accessible to staff and members of the community with disabilities in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (“Section 504”) and other applicable disability-related federal or state laws and regulations; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of its commitment to accessibility for individuals with disabilities while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, on July 14, 1992 the Gail Borden Library District (“Library District”) passed Resolution 92-7-2 (Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act), to not only comply with the ADA and Section 504, but provide valuable guidance for staff and members of the community with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, after review of Resolution 92-7-2, the Library District determined that it is in the best interest of the Library District to update the policy to better explain policies, procedures and options available to staff and members of the community with disabilities (Attachment A); and

WHEREAS, the Library District recommends that the Board of Trustees adopt ADA Policy (Attachment A) in furtherance of its commitment to ensure that its activities, programs, services, information, and facilities are equally accessible to staff and members of the community with disabilities in accordance with the ADA and Section 504.

THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Trustees of the Gail Borden Library District that:

1. Resolution 92-7-2 (Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act), approved on July 14, 1992, is outdated and it is necessary to modify and update; and
2. It shall adopt the modified and updated ADA Policy (Attachment A) to ensure that activities, programs, services, information, and facilities are equally accessible to staff and members of the community with disabilities in accordance with the ADA and Section 504.

PASSED by roll call vote this - 14th day of November , 2017.

ATTACHMENT A

A. Americans With Disabilities Compliance

The Gail Borden Public Library District (“the Library”) is committed to making its facilities accessible to and usable by all patrons and visitors. This commitment is ongoing, proactive and intended to meet the needs of a diversity of individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (“Section 504”). In general, the ADA requires each program, service and activity offered by Gail Borden Public Library District, when viewed in its entirety, be readily accessible to and usable by qualified individuals with disabilities.

It is the intention of the Library to foster open communication with all individuals requesting readily accessible programs, services and activities. The Library encourages supervisors of programs, services and activities to respond to requests for reasonable modifications. To this end, the Library is committed to promoting positive participation and a quality experience by providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities upon request.

B. Request for Reasonable Accommodation

The Library is committed to promoting positive participation and a quality experience by providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities upon request. Both the ADA and Section 504 require the Library to provide appropriate and reasonable accommodations to the public and employees with disabilities unless doing so would create an undue hardship, compromise the health and safety of members of the Library community, or fundamentally alter the nature of the Library’s mission. To request a reasonable accommodation, please complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form by signing and either delivering via mail or hand delivery to [Deputy Director, Sara Sabo, ADA Coordinator at 847-429-5984].

C. ADA Complaint Procedure

The Library provides a complaint process for resolution of any complaint alleging noncompliance with the ADA or discrimination on the basis of a disability. If you wish to utilize the compliant process please complete and return the attached complaint form. Complaints should be addressed to Deputy Director, Sara Sabo, ADA Coordinator, who has been designated to coordinate ADA compliance efforts and investigate allegations of noncompliance and/or disability discrimination.

1. The complaint form should be fully completed containing the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describe the nature of the allegation. Any documents pertinent to the allegations may be attached.
2. A complaint should be filed within sixty (60) calendar days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation.
3. An investigation by the ADA Coordinator, or designee, as may be appropriate, shall follow the filing of a complaint. The investigation shall be informal but thorough and afford all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit relevant documents and information.
4. A written determination as to the merits of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued and forwarded to the complainant no later than thirty (30) calendar days after its filing. Additional time may be required to issue a determination depending on the complexity of the issue(s) raised in the complaint.
5. The ADA Coordinator shall maintain the files and records relating to the complaints in compliance with the Illinois State Records Retention Law.
6. The ADA Coordinator’s written determination may be appealed to the Library’s Board of Trustees (“Library Board”) by submitting a copy of the complaint, the ADA Coordinator's written determination, and a brief written statement explaining the reason(s) why the ADA Coordinator’s written determination should be modified or reversed (collectively referred to as “the Appeal”), within five (5) business days after the complainant's receipt of the ADA Coordinator's written determination. Failure to appeal the ADA Coordinator’s written determination to the Library Board within the specified time limits shall waive any right to appeal.
7. After review of the Appeal, the Library Board shall sustain, modify, or reverse the ADA Coordinator’s written determination in writing, stating the basis, and shall cause a copy of the decision to be served on the parties. The decision of the Library Board shall be final.
8. The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by nor shall the use of this process be a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
9. Other remedies include the filing of an ADA complaint with the Department of Justice: U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section – NYA, Washington, D.C. 20530.

For more information about the ADA or the complaint process or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Deputy Director, Sara Sabo, ADA Coordinator at ssabo@gailborden.info and 847-429-5984.

ADA Complaint Form | Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form