Self Evaluation Plan and Transition Plan: Part 3 - Public Notice
Information presented herein can also be found at the New England Action Guide.
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This article is the third in a series regarding how to create a Self Evaluation Plan and Transition Plan (SEPTP). The information contained within this series can be used to build a new SEPTP or audit an existing SEPTP. In previous parts of this series for designing and operating a SEPTP, the history of SEPTP was reviewed, key individuals to be in charge of the SEPTP were selected. Now it is time to tell the interested persons or organizations (parties) about your Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) SEPTP compliance plan with Part 3 - Public Notice.
When creating, modifying, or auditing a SEPTP, transparency is important. This process should encourage participation from interested parties. This will serve to create a better SEPTP and lessen the possibility of complaints about the SEPTP after it is established.
The SEPTP Consultant will develop a Public Participation Plan giving the opportunity for interested parties to provide feedback on the SEPTP policies and procedures. See [28 CFR 35.106]. The public will also be given an opportunity to identify physical barriers at accessible public facilities including buildings, recreational fields, playgrounds, sidewalks, greenways, and other elements of the public realm.
The SEPTP Consultant will develop a public survey to gather public input. The Consultant will provide a summary of public input received and activities conducted during plan development.
The SEPTP Consultant will develop meeting materials for a public meeting to be held with the completion of the Draft Plan. The consultant will present the Draft Plan during a public meeting.
The public notices should go out at three different intervals:
near the beginning of the process
after tentative findings from the self-evaluation
and before final recommendations are made.
A public notice should provide information to the public, program participants, program beneficiaries, applicants and employees about the ADA and how it applies to the entity. Here are some representative methods that public entities have used in the past.
Methods of Public Notice:
Put the notice on the public entity’s website.
Include the notice in social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
Post the notice at facilities.
Publish the notice in local newspapers.
Broadcast the notice in public service announcements on local radio and television stations.
Include the notice in program announcements and applications.
The information must be provided in “alternative” formats so that it is accessible to people with hearing and vision disabilities. See the following examples of alternative formats.
Examples of Alternative Formats
Captioned public service announcements on television
Large print (recommend: san-serif typeface such as Helvetica or Arial, 18 point size. If an individual requests a specific point size, provide notice in that size)
Braille
Text file on a thumb disk or emailed to the person
HTML format on an accessible website
Audio recording
Radio announcement
Public entities must provide the information not just once, but on an ongoing basis. Changes should be made as necessary, for example when there is a new ADA Coordinator.
Public notices can be different depending on the intended audience. Long notices may be more applicable for the public, program participants, program beneficiaries, and employment applicants. Click on Long Notice for a representative example. Short notices may be more applicable for employees because they should be briefed on the ADA compliance program and requirements as part of indoctrination. Click on Short Notice for a representative example.
Examples of information included in public notices for State and local entities are as follows:
County B’s recreation department has four playgrounds. Two were renovated using the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and are accessible to children and adults with disabilities, two are not accessible. County B has information on the website concerning which playgrounds are accessible and which are not. The information is also included in the recreation department’s brochure. Finally, signs are posted at each playground indicating whether or not the facility is compliant with the ADA. At the two facilities that are not compliant with the ADA, signs indicate where the playground that are ADA compliant are located.
State D’s museum has monthly tours that include sign language interpreters for people who are deaf. The museum will also try to get interpreters for any program with 14 days notice. This information is on the museum’s website, posted in the ticket purchase area and included in the museum’s brochure.
A City Managers’ office receives a call from a new resident who uses a wheelchair. The resident would like to know which city facilities are accessible (and which aren’t) and where the accessible entrances are. The City Manager's administrative assistant can provide that information because the ADA Coordinator created a list of the accessibility features in all facilities. The list is on the city’s website and the ADA Coordinator sent an email to all staff with the link.