ADA Requirements for Publications for the Public and City Contracts

Departments are reminded that publications designed for the public must follow ADA guidelines. To ensure compliance, please share the following information with your staff:

Publications

Publications (e.g., agendas, brochures, flyers, bills, forms, and class schedules) designed for the public must be printed as follows:

• use non-glare paper;

• use non-reflective ink;

• have a high contrast between the color of the paper and the ink; and,

• use a font without serifs (e.g., Arial, San Serif, Tahoma, and Univers).

Alternative Format

Written materials intended for the public must be made available in alternate formats upon request. The following statement must be placed in a location where it can be seen and read:

"This information is available in an alternative format by request to (the name of someone in your department) at (phone number)."

• Examples of alternative formats are: large print (16pt.), diskette, braille, and audio. An alternative format may also be reading the material aloud to an individual. Every effort should be made to provide the material in the requested format. For assistance, call Crystal King at 570-6803.

Agendas, meeting announcements, and other materials which contain informatio with a deadline or are date sensitive, must be provided within 24 hours of the requests. Normally, other written material must be provided within 48 hours. However, if a non-disabled person has to wait for a publication, such as an environmental impact report, then so does a disabled person.


Reasonable Accommodation

The following statement must appear on written material related to public meetings:

"The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is desired, please call (the name of someone in your department) 48 hours prior to the event/program/service at (phone number)".

Remember, the primary objective of the ADA is to eliminate barriers to ensure that individuals with disabilities can fully participate in community programs, services and activities.

Contracts

The ADA requires the contracts specifically state who has ADA responsibility. The City Attorney's office has provided the following language for contracts.

"Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 shall be the sole responsibility of (Contracting Party), and (Contracting Party) shall defend and hold the City harmless from any expense or liability arising from (Contracting Party's)non-compliance therewith."

Note: This language should be placed at the end of the "nondiscrimination clause" in the contract.

Although specific language is placed in contracts, it is still the City's responsibility to provide its programs in accessible facilities, even if the facility is not owned by the City.

Questions or Assistance

Please call Dora A. Hogan, the City's ADA Compliance Officer, at 570-6304 if you have any questions or need assistance. Departments are reminded that Ms. Jones is available to provide assistance on any matter involving access for persons with disabilities.

Suggestions:

For regular printing use a 12 size font;

For enlarged printing use a 14 -16 size font;

For printing brochures the smallest font to be used should be a size 9 font;

These suggestions are from the Access Board.