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Accessibility and Inclusion for People with Disabilities

The City of Vancouver understands that legislation protecting people with disabilities provides us with a floor, not ceiling, and the spirit of the law goes well beyond that. The City is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are provided an accessible and equitable place where they can live, work, learn, play, and thrive.

In 2021, Vancouver City Council identified five core values for the city: livability, equity and inclusion, innovation, sustainability and resiliency, and community trust and relationships. All of these core values intersect with and reflect a prioritization of accessibility, inclusion, and justice for our disability community.

Table of Contents

Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504

In accordance with the requirements of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the City of Vancouver will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. We strive to ensure that every program, service, activity, and facility operated or funded by the City of Vancouver is accessible to people with disabilities.

Effective Communication  

The City of Vancouver will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in all programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.

Modifications to Policies and Procedures 

The City of Vancouver will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in City of Vancouver offices, even where pets are generally prohibited.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a City program, service, or activity should contact the office of the ADA Coordinator as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event. See below for contact information.

The City of Vancouver will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy.

The ADA does not require the City of Vancouver to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

Request Accommodations

If you are a member of the public with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in any City program, activity, meeting, or event, please visit this link for more information on requesting accommodations.

File an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Complaint

If you are a member of the public and feel you have been discriminated against because of a disability, please visit this link for more information on filing a complaint.

Voting Accessibility

It is a priority of Clark County elections officials and the Office of the Secretary of State to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to vote independently and privately. Please visit the Clark County Elections webpage for more information on accessible voting options. You can reach out to them directly with any questions you have about how to register or vote by calling 564-397-2345 or emailing elections@clark.wa.gov.

Service Animals

The Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and its amendments (2010) explicitly prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities who use service animals because of a disability.

Only dogs can be considered service animals. It is the training that distinguishes a service animal from another animal. Service animals are ‘working’ animals, not pets or emotional support animals. Service animals are generally permitted to accompany owners/handlers with disabilities in all areas of City owned and operated members of the public are allowed to go. Read on for more on rights and responsibilities of service animal handlers/owners.

Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities

It might not be pleasant to think about emergencies and disasters but planning ahead is the best way to ensure you and all the members of your household remain safe during fires, floods, earthquakes, and other events. That is even more true for people with disabilities. We encourage people who have disabilities and those who may need extra assistance during emergencies to prepare before an emergency occurs. Visit the City of Vancouver Emergency Preparedness webpage to access the resources we have gathered for you.

Evacuation Assistance at City of Vancouver Facilities

We want you to be prepared before you visit any City of Vancouver public buildings for any evacuations that might take place while you’re there. In spring of 2024, we installed Stryker Evacuation Chairs in four high use public buildings: City Hall, Firstenberg Community Center, Marshall Community Center and the Water Resource Education Center. These devices may be helpful for community members with disabilities and others who have difficulty safely exiting multi-level buildings during evacuations.  The Stryker company provides a product that is well-respected and trusted. The device can be guided up or down the stairs, traveling along the leading edge of the stairs. This demonstration video shows how to use the Stryker chair in a variety of situations.

We’ve also developed this quick guide to help you plan for your next visit to a City facility.

Employment Accessibility and Requesting Accommodations 

People with disabilities are protected from discrimination in employment under Title I of the ADA.

Please visit the Human Resources Sharepoint site to learn more about accessibility and accommodations at the City for employees with disabilities. Candidates for employment can find more information about accessibility and accommodations during the application process here.

Contact Human Resources Leaves and Accommodations Team with any questions:

hrleaveteam@cityofvancouver.us
360-600-9299 or 360-487-8407

Physical Space Accessibility: Submit Barrier Removal Request

If you have encountered an accessibility barrier while navigating the built environment of the City of Vancouver (i.e. sidewalks, curb cuts, city-owned or occupied buildings, parks, parking lots, etc.), please submit a Public Works Service Request.

You may also contact the ADA Coordinator to report the issue (especially if the barrier presents an urgent or substantial barrier of any kind). See contact information below.

Online Accessibility: Submit Feedback Form

The City of Vancouver is committed to ensuring its website is accessible and inclusive to people with and without disabilities. If you have encountered an accessibility barrier while navigating the City of Vancouver website, please submit your feedback.

You may also contact the ADA Coordinator to report the issue (especially if the barrier presents an urgent or substantial barrier of any kind). See contact information below.

Accessibility Achievements at the City

Since 2021, the City has made several achievements related to accessibility and equity that will have a longstanding positive impact on our entire community, especially our disabled community. Read on to learn how the City is going beyond compliance to advance accessibility for all.

Contact

For more information about disability accessibility and inclusion at the City of Vancouver, please contact:

Jen Dugger Spalding
ADA Coordinator
Address: 415 W 6th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: 360-726-7122
Email: adacoordinator@cityofvancouver.us