Title VI

Notice of Nondiscrimination

As required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (as amended) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Towner County has adopted by resolution a policy regarding " Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability".

Towner County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission to, access to, or operations of programs, services or activities.

Qualified individuals who need accessible communication aids and services or other accommodations to participate in programs and activities are invited to make your needs and preferences known to the 504/ADA coordinator. Please give us at least three to five days' advance notice so we adequately meet your needs.

An internal grievance procedure is available to resolve complaints. Questions, concerns, or requests for additional information regarding 504/ADA should be forwarded to:

Joni Morlock

PO Box 603

Cando, ND 58324

(701) 968-4340 ext. 1

jmmorlock@nd.gov

Hours available 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday-Friday

Upon request, this notice and other materials may be made available in alternative formats (for example, large print or audio tape) form the 504/ADA coordinator.

A copy of the policy regarding nondiscrimination and the 504/ADA Transition Plan are available in the Towner County Auditor's office.

Grievance Procedure for Towner County

The following grievance procedure is established to meet the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

According to these laws, Towner County certifies that all citizens shall have the right to submit a grievance on the basis of disability in policies or practices regarding employment, services, activities, facilities, or benefits provided by Towner County.

When filing a grievance, citizens must provide detailed information to allow an investigation, including the date, location and description of the problem. The grievance must be in writing and must include the name, address and telephone number of the complainant. Upon request, alternation means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording, will be made available for individuals with disabilities. The complaint should be submitted by the complainant or his/her designee as soon as possible, but no later than 90 days after the alleged violation. Complaints must be signed and sent to:

Joni Morlock, ADA Coordinator

315 2nd Street

PO Box 603

Cando, ND 58324

(701) 968-4340 ext. 1

Within 15 calendar days after receiving the complaint, the ADA Coordinator will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting the ADA Coordinator will respond in writing. Where appropriate, the response shall be in a format accessible to the complainant (such as large print or audio tape). The response will explain the position of Towner County and offer options for resolving the complaint.

If the response by the ADA Coordinator does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant or his/her designee may appeal the decision of the 504 ADA Coordinator. Appeals must be made within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response. Appeals must be directed to the Chairman of the Towner County Board of Commissioners.

Within 15 calendar days after receiving the appeal, the Towner County Commissioner Board Chairman will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and to discuss possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the Towner County Commissioner Board Chairman will provide a response in writing. Where appropriate, the response shall be in a format accessible to the complainant. The response shall be accompanied by the final resolution of the complaint. The ADA Coordinator shall maintain the files and records of Towner County pertaining to the complaints filed for a period of three years after the grant is closed out.

Other Compliant Procedures

All individuals have a right to a prompt and equitable resolution. Individuals or classes of individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination based on disability have several ways to file a grievance:

Use the grievance procedure provided by the public entity.
File a complaint with any agency that provides funding to the public entity.
File with one of the eight federal agencies designated in the Title II ADA regulations.

Under Title II, filing a grievance with the public entity's ADA Coordinator, filing a complaint with a federal agency, or filing a lawsuit may be done independently of the others. Individuals are not required to file either a grievance or complaint to bring a lawsuit. Lawsuits may be filed at any time. The following are four of the eight agencies where a Title II complaint can be filed:

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Coordination of Review Section

Civil Rights Division

PO Box 66118

Washington, DC 20035-6118

Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

451 7th Street SW, Room 5100

Washington, DC 20410

Office for Civil Rights

Department of Education

330 C Street SW, Suite 5000

Washington, DC 20202

Office for Civil Rights

Department of Health and Human Services

330 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20201

To view Towner County's Limited English Proficiency Plan, please click the link below: