ADA, Service Animals, & Mobility Device Use

The Fremont Public Library District (“the Library District”) 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 Fremont Public Library District, when viewed in its entirety, be readily accessible to and usable by qualified individuals with disabilities. This includes the ability of a person with a disability (or trainer) to be accompanied by a qualified service animal. Implementation of the ADA and Service Animal Policy is the responsibility of all Library District staff.

Requests for Reasonable Accommodations

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

When choosing an aid or service, the Library ADA Coordinator (or designee) will consult with the requester to discuss what aid or service is appropriate. The Library District representative will give primary consideration to the requester’s choice of aid or service unless another equally effective means of communication is available, or the preferred means requested would result in a fundamental alteration of the library’s services, or in an undue financial or administrative burden.

ADA Coordinator

The Library District has designated the Assistant Director as the ADA Coordinator. The ADA Coordinator may be contacted via telephone at (847) 918-3210 or via email at raingram@fremontlibrary.org

ADA Complaint Procedure

The Library District 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 the ADA Coordinator as listed above.

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.
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 the ADA Coordinator.

Click here to view a printable version of this policy.