Title II of the ADA protects people with disabilities from discrimination by state and local governments. It applies to all kinds of state or local governments, for example: police departments, county councils, courts, and state agencies like Department of Social Services (DSS) or Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN). Title II does not apply to private businesses. They are covered by another part of the ADA called Title III. This information packet does not cover public transportation. If your problem is with a private business or a public transit service please ask us for information about that problem.

• Contact List for More Information
• Where to File Your Discrimination Complaint
• Department of Justice Title II Discrimination Complaint Form

If you believe that you have been discriminated against by a state or local government agency you have the right to file a complaint. For more information on how to do this see "Where to File Your Discrimination Complaint" which is included in this packet. You also have the right to file a lawsuit. You are not required to file a complaint before filing a lawsuit. For more information about filing a lawsuit you may wish to contact a private attorney. If you do not know of one you may contact the Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-868-2284.

Atlanta, GA 30318

1-800-949-4232 (v/TTY)

404-385-0641 (fax)

OR

(funded by the Department of Justice)

ADA HOTLINE

1-800-466-4232(voice/TTY)

OR

1-800-514-0301(voice)

1-800-514-0383(TTY)

OR

1-800-872-2253(voice)

1-800-993-2822(TTY)

State or local government agencies with 50 or more employees are required to designate an ADA Coordinator and to adopt grievance procedures to resolve complaints of ADA violations. If the agency that you believe discriminated against you has 50 or more employees you may ask to speak to the ADA Coordinator (ADA Coordinators are sometimes called Disability Coordinators or 504 Coordinators). You may also file a grievance. For smaller government agencies, contact the office of the person in charge of the agency and ask how you can file a complaint. This could be the mayor’s office or a commissioner’s office.

If you are not satisfied with the agency's action on your grievance or if you do not wish to file a grievance you may file a complaint of discrimination with the federal government. Complaints of discrimination under Title II are investigated by several different federal agencies. You may always file your complaint with the Department of Justice, however, it may take some time for them to forward your complaint to the appropriate agency. If you can file with the appropriate agency it may result in quicker action on your complaint. Therefore we suggest the following:

1. If the state or local government agency you are having problems with receives federal funds and you know which federal agency supplies the funds, then file your complaint with that federal agency.
2. If you do not know which federal agency supplies federal funds or if the state or local government agency receives no federal funds then file your complaint with one of the designated agencies listed below. Look through the description of what types of complaints each agency covers to find the one that fits your concern.
3. If you have tried both 1 and 2 and still don't know where to file then you may file your complaint with the Department of Justice and they will forward it to the appropriate agency.

• Department of Agriculture: All programs, services, and regulatory activities relating to farming and the raising of livestock, including extension services. Complaints should be sent to: Complaints Adjudication Division, Office of Advocacy and Enterprise, Room 1353 – South Building, Department of Agriculture, 14^th & Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250
• Department of Education: All programs, services, and regulatory activities relating to the operation of elementary and secondary education systems and institutions, institutions of higher education and vocational education (other than schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing and other health-related schools), and libraries. Complaints should be sent to: Office for Civil Rights, Department of Education, 330 C Street, S.W., Suite 5000, Washington, D.C. 20202.
• Department of Health and Human Services: All programs, services and regulatory activities relating to the provision of health care and social services, including schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing and other health-related schools, the operation of health care and social service providers and institutions, including grass-roots and community services organizations and programs, and preschool and day care programs. Complaints should be sent to: Office for Civil Rights, Department of Health & Human Services, 330 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.
• Department of Housing and Urban Development: All programs and services and regulatory activities relating to state and local public housing, and housing assistance and referral. Complaints should be sent to: Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7^th Street, S.W., Room 5100, Washington, D.C. 20410.
• Department of the Interior: All programs and services and regulatory activities relating to lands and natural resources, including parks and recreation, water and waste management, environmental protection, energy, historic and cultural preservation, and museums. Complaints should be sent to: Office for Equal Opportunity, Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior, 18^th & C Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20547
• Department of Justice: All programs, services and regulatory activities relating to law enforcement, public safety and the administration of justice, including courts and correctional institutions; commerce and industry, including general economic development, banking and finance, consumer protection, insurance, and small business; planning, development and regulation (unless assigned to other designated agencies); state and local government support services (e.g., audit, personnel, comptroller, administrative services); all other government functions not assigned to other designated agencies. Complaints should be sent to: Coordination and Review Section, P. O. Box 66118, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. 20035-6118
• Department of Labor: All programs, services and regulatory activities relating to labor and the work force. Complaints should be sent to: Directorate of Civil Rights, Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room N-4123, Washington, D.C. 20210.
• Department of Transportation: All programs, services and regulatory activities relating to transportation, including highways, public transportation, traffic management (non-law enforcement), automobile licensing and inspection, and driver licensing. Complaints should be sent to: Office for Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 10215, Washington, D.C. 20590.