Know the Code: Accessibility to All

Know the Code is a monthly series highlighting different sections of the County of San Diego Code of Ethics.

By the Office of Ethics and Compliance

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Learn about the policies, procedures and people in place to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The ADA of 1990 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities:

• ADA Title I protects people in the employment process.

• ADA Title II protects people when participating in state and local government services, programs, and activities.

The County of San Diego has policies, procedures and people in place to comply with the ADA, but the County’s commitment to accessibility for people with disabilities goes further than just the law.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The County has Board of Supervisors, chief administrative officer, management group and departmental policies and procedures that relate to compliance with the ADA and ensure accessibility to services, programs and activities for people with disabilities:

• Board of Supervisors Policy

  • F-49 - Americans with Disabilities Act: Accessible Programs and Facilities

  • A-125 - Americans with Disabilities Act: Employment Provisions

• CAO Admin Manual

  • 0010-09.pdf - ADA Title II Complaint Procedure

  • 0010-09A.pdf - ADA Title II Notice

  • 0010-09B.pdf - ADA Title II Complaint Form

From Parks and Recreation Department in the Land Use and Environment Group to Aging and Independence Services in the Health and Human Services Agency to the Office of Emergency Services in the Public Safety Group to General Services in the Finance and General Government Group, departments across the County of San Diego have numerous services, programs and activities to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

PEOPLE

Countywide and Departmental ADA Title II Coordinators

The Countywide ADA Title II coordinator works with departmental ADA Title II doordinators to ensure compliance with the ADA, including responding to inquiries and requests for accommodations and investigating complaints from the public about access to services, programs and activities. Clients and customers with accessibility questions regarding facilities, services, programs and activities can contact their departmental ADA Title II coordinator or the countywide ADA Title II coordinator at OEC@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-531-4908.

Human Resources

Our Department of Human Resources makes many efforts to provide information on how to request and receive various forms of accommodation throughout the recruitment process. On every job bulletin that has a written exam, there is a phone number that you may call to request accommodation. All recruitments also state that reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job. Additionally, Human Resources offers a variety of services and accommodations to our staff, internally. Employees with questions regarding accessibility in the workplace can speak to their management or to department Human Resources staff.

Committee for Persons with Disabilities

The County of San Diego Committee for Persons with Disabilities is an 11-member committee to serve as the County's advisory committee for uncovering opportunities and enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities. The CPD meets with departments to learn about services, programs and activities and provide input on accessibility enhancements for people with disabilities. In the past year, the CPD received presentations from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Aging and Independence Services, Housing & Community Development Services, Department of Human Resources: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Division, County Communications Office, Registrar of Voters, the Office of Military & Veterans Affairs and the Sheriff’s Department.

DiverseAbility ERG

The DiverseAbility is a County of San Diego employee resource group with the mission of advancing awareness and inclusion for people with disabilities, providing and promoting professional development and leadership opportunities, and advocating for inclusiveness in and support of County initiatives. The DiverseAbility ERG is shining the spotlight on National Disability Employment Awareness Month and will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate staff on disability employment issues and its commitment to an inclusive work culture. ERG events will be announced on InSite.

Check out the OEC webpage on InSite for information about upcoming Ethics & Compliance program events, training, and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos.

If you have questions about Ethics & Compliance training or how to access the training and other resources, please contact the OEC team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-531-5174.  HHSA staff may also contact the HHSA Compliance and Privacy team at compliance.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-338-2807.