Please Note: All Title I – Employment ADA concerns and requests will need to go through the Brazos County Human Resources Department. Risk Management only handles Title II of the Americans with Disability Act.
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and Section 504, Brazos County does not discriminate based on disability in its programs, services, or activities. Risk Managment is designated to coordinate compliance with local, state, and federal non-discrimination requirements related to ADA.
Contact Us
200 S. Texas Ave., Suite 264
Bryan, TX 77803
Phone: (979) 361-4441
Leslie Contreras
Risk Manager
Email
Public Access
Brazos County is committed to providing ADA public access to all County facilities, programs, and services where possible. The Risk Management Department is responsible for ADA public access and implementation. More information about the County’s public access policy and implementation is available by contacting the County ADA Coordinator by email or phone.
To request an accommodation, you may complete an Accommodation Request Form and submit it directly to the ADA Coordinator. All accommodation forms can be emailed, or printed and mailed, to the ADA Coordinator. Requests can also be made verbally or through other means (email, phone, handwritten, etc.)
If additional assistance is needed or you are uncertain about accommodations, please contact the ADA Coordinator at (979) 361-4441.
Accommodations may include, but are not limited to:
- A member of the public needing to gain access to a county facility, program, or service
- Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication
- Modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of Brazos County
The County will respond promptly to accommodation requests, however, some types of accommodation requests will need a lead time to prepare. Please submit accommodation requests as early as possible, but no later than 96 hours before the scheduled event, to ensure the requests can be completed.
Please note that the ADA does not require Brazos County to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. A case-by-case evaluation will be made prior to making any decision on access in these situations.
Brazos County has an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the United States Department of Justice regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). 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 entity.
To submit a complaint please download and complete the County’s Title II ADA Grievance Form and send it to:
Brazos County ADA Coordinator
Brazos County Risk Management
200 S. Texas Ave., Suite 264
Bryan, Texas 77803
Phone: 979-361-4441
Email: riskmanagement@brazoscountytx.gov
Grievance Forms are also available for pickup at the Risk Management office.
Complaints should state, as fully as possible, the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged discrimination.
Complainant Assistance
The County shall also provide appropriate assistance to complainants, including those persons with disabilities or who may be limited in their ability to communicate in English. In cases where the complainant is unable to provide a written statement, a verbal complaint may be made. The ADA Coordinator will interview the complainant and if necessary, assist the person in converting the verbal complaint to writing. All complaints must be signed by the complainant or his/her representative.
Procedure
These procedures do not deny the right of the complainant to file formal complaints with other state or federal agencies or seek other remedies.
The complainant may file a signed, written complaint up to 180 days from the date of the alleged act of discrimination or the date the person(s) became aware of the alleged act(s) of discrimination. If the complaint cannot be filed within 180 days, please contact the ADA Coordinator for more information.
The purpose of the ADA Grievance Form is to assist you in filing a complaint. You are encouraged, but not required, to use the form to file your complaint. If you choose to write a letter, please ensure that it contains all the information requested in the form and is signed by you or your authorized representative.
Process
The County shall make every effort to address all complaints in an expeditious and thorough manner.
An investigation, as may be appropriate, will follow the filing of a complaint. If needed, an investigation will begin within 15 working days of receipt of a complaint alleging discrimination based on disability in a program, service, or activity of the County.
The complainant will be contacted in writing no later than 30 working days after receipt of the complaint, should additional information be needed. If the complainant fails to provide the requested information in a timely basis, the County may administratively close the complaint.
Should an investigation be warranted, the County will complete the investigation within 90 calendar days of receipt of a complaint. If additional time is needed, the complainant will be notified. A written investigation report will be prepared and shall include a summary description of the incident, findings and recommended corrective action. If required, the investigation report will be forwarded to the appropriate state or federal agency.
A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the ADA Coordinator. A copy shall be forwarded to the complainant no later than 20 working days after its issuance.
The complainant has a right to appeal with the County’s finding within five working days from receipt of the determination. The complainant may file a complaint externally with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights, or another appropriate federal agency. If there is no appeal or no findings, the complaint will be closed.
The ADA Coordinator shall maintain the files and records of Brazos County relating to the complaints filed.