Americans with Disabilities Act

Petaluma Supports the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The City of Petaluma does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities in its employment, services, benefits, facilities, programs, or activities.

Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504L the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and related federal and state laws and regulations forbid discrimination against those who have disabilities.  Furthermore, these laws require federal aid recipients and other government entities to take affirmative steps to reasonably accommodate those with disabilities and ensure that their needs are equitably represented in transportation programs, services and activities.

The City will make every effort to ensure that its facilities, programs, services, and activities are accessible to those with disabilities.  The City will also make every effort to ensure that its advisory committees, public involvement activities and all other programs, services and activities include representation by communities with disability service groups.

The City encourages the public to report any facility, program, service or activity that appears inaccessible to those who are disabled.  Furthermore, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in public involvement events or who require special assistance to access facilities, programs, services or activities.  because providing reasonable accommodation may require outside assistance to access facilities, programs, services or activities.  Because providing reasonable accommodation may require outside assistance, organization or resources, the City asks that requests be made at least 48 hours prior to the need for accommodation.

Questions, concerns, comments or requests for accommodation should be made to the City ADA Officer:  Kent Carothers, P.E. – City Engineer (707) 778-4303

Formal Written ADA Complaint Form

ADA Grievance Procedure

This grievance procedure has been established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the City of Petaluma.

The Formal Written ADA Complaint Form should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date and description of the problem.  Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or an audio recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or his/her designee as soon as possible, but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to:

Kent Carothers, P.E.
ADA Coordinator/City Engineer
11 English St Petaluma, CA  94952
[email protected]
(707) 778-4303

The ADA Coordinator or designee, will contact the complainant within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions.  The complainant may request this contact be in-person.  Within 15 calendar days of the response, the ADA Coordinator or designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape, to explain the position of the City and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

Request for Accommodation or Barrier Removal

A physical barrier at pedestrian street crossing, within a City Facility, on City Property, request an accommodation necessary to equally access a City program, service, activity or benefits.  Requests for reasonable accommodations or barrier removal can be routed directly to the responsible department or ADA Coordinator.  Submit a ADA Request for Accommodation or Barrier Removal Form