In addition to any other advice, assistance or accommodation provided, a copy of the following notice shall be given to anyone who inquires regarding the agency's compliance with the ADA or the availability of accommodation which would allow a qualified individual with a disability to receive services or participate in a program or activity provided by the agency.
AGENCY NOTICE OF ADA PROCEDURE
The agency has adopted an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the U.S. Department of Justice regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Title II states, in part, that "no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination" in programs or activities sponsored by a public en tity. 28 CFR 35.130(a).
Rules describing and governing the internal grievance procedure can be found in the New Jersey Administrative Code, N.J.A.C. 2:1-4. As those rules indicate, complaints should be addressed to the agency's designated ADA coordinator, who has been designated to coordinate ADA compliance efforts, at the following address: ADA Coordinator
New Jersey Department of Agriculture
PO Box 330
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0330
1. A complaint may be filed in writing or orally, but should contain the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describe the alleged violation. A form for this purpose is available from the designated ADA coordinator. In cases of employment related complaints, the procedures established by the Department of Personnel, 4A:7-1.1 et seq. will be followed where applicable.2. A complaint should be filed promptly within 20 days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation. (Processing of allegations of discrimination which occurred before this grievance procedure was in place will be considered on a case-by-case basis).3. An investigation, as may be appropriate, will follow the filing of a complaint. The investigation will be conducted by the agency's designated ADA Coordinator. The rules contemplate informal but thorough investigations, affording all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to a complaint.4. In most cases a written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, will be issued by the designated decision maker and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than 45 days after its filing.5. The ADA coordinator will maintain the files and records of the agency relating to the complaints filed.6. The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder will not be impaired by the person's pursuit of other remedies such as the filing of an ADA complaint with the responsible Federal department or agency or the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights. Use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.7. The rules will be construed to protect the substantive rights of interested persons, to meet appropriate due process standards and to assure that the agency complies with the ADA and implementing Federal rules.N.J. Admin. Code § 2:1-4.3
Amended by R.2001 d.115, effective 4/2/2001.
See: 33 N.J.R. 149(a), 33 N.J.R. 1081(a).
In address, substituted "PO Box" for "CN" and inserted "-0330".
Amended by R.2006 d.379, effective 11/6/2006.
See: 38 N.J.R. 1896(b), 38 N.J.R. 4687(a).
At the end of the first paragraph of the "AGENCY NOTICE OF ADA PROCEDURE", inserted CFR reference.