Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Town of Brookline

The Town of Brookline does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, or activities. The Town of Brookline does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices.

This notice is provided as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information may be sent to Sarah E. Kaplan, Community Relations Specialist and ADA / Section 504 Coordinator

ADA Coordinator Designation Form (PDF)

Grievance Procedure (PDF)
This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). It may be used by any person who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by and within the Town of Brookline.

Assistive Listening Device Notice (PDF) Assistive Listening Devices are now available for resident use at Town of Brookline meetings and events. Assistive Listening Devices are amplifiers that bring sound directly into the ear that are frequently used by individual with hearing impairments. They separate the sounds, particularly speech, that a person wants to hear from background noise. They improve what is known as the “speech to noise ratio.”

The Town of Brookline has (2) FM Assistive Listening Device Transmitter and (4) receivers that are available for public use for any Town of Brookline public meeting or event. The Assistive Listening Device Kit is located at the Public Safety Building at 350 Washington St. Users may pick up devices themselves or alert the Town employee or chairperson of the meeting or public that they require a device for accessibility.

Masks and the ADA

Masks and the ADA, accessible version below

This image states that it is a guide for business owners regarding face coverings and the ADA. You may require that costumers or patrons wear a mask into your business. If a customer refuses to wear a mask you can ask WHY? If they say it is due to a medical condition you CANNOT ask more questions or ask them to prove it. You CANNOT refuse service, but you may provide different but equal service and take additional precautions to accommodate their needs.

If you have any questions, you may contact the ADA Coordinator at [email protected] or at 617-730-2329.

Information on Service Animals

Massachusetts Office on Disability - Service Animals and Public Accommodations (PDF)

Service Animal Fact Sheet (PDF)

Information On Mobility Devices

Mobility Device Fact Sheet Opens in new windowMobility Device Fact Sheet (Accessible version)

(ADA Requirements)

What is a Mobility Device?

A manually-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the purpose of indoor and/or outdoor locomotion. For example, Manual or power wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and canes, or Scooters, Segways and Golf Carts.

People with disabilities have the right to choose whatever mobility device best suits their needs.

Assurances

Entities must allow people with disabilities who use a mobility device into all areas where members of the public may go UNLESS there are legitimate safety concerns.

Safety concerns must be based on actual risks, not stereotypes or speculation.

Entities are allowed to ask for credible assurance that device is used due to a disability.

Assurance includes: a disability parking placard, state issued proof, OR the individual verbally states the device is used for a mobility limitation.

Communication Requests and Reasonable Accommodations

Persons with disabilities who need either auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access programs and activities of the Town of Brookline are invited to make their needs and preferences known to the ADA Coordinator.

This notice is available in alternative formats from the ADA Coordinator.

2017 ADA Self Eval and Transition Plan