Accessibility

Policies and Procedures Related to Inclusion of People with Disabilities

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is committed to providing respectful, non-discriminatory service in our programs and activities.


Accommodations for People with Disabilities

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws, individuals with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations necessary to enable them to participate in programs, services and activities.

To request a reasonable accommodation to participate in a program of DCLA , please contact DCLA’s Disability Service Facilitator at (212) 298-8779 or disabilityfacilitator@culture.nyc.gov.


Website Accessibility Statement

The Department of Cultural Affairs is committed to ensuring its digital content is accessible to and usable by people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards.

Conformance Status

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. Our digital content is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to this accessibility standard.

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our digital content. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility issues by using the Website Accessibility Feedback Form.

If you need assistance accessing a particular program or service, please reach out to the DCLA’s Disability Services Facilitator at (212) 298-8779 or disabilityfacilitator@culture.nyc.gov.

Assessment Approach

The Department of Cultural Affairs assesses the accessibility of its digital content through self-evaluation.

Date

This statement was created on 02/17/2023.

Grievance Procedure for Members of the Public Alleging Discrimination based on Disability

Any member of the public alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by DCLA may file a grievance with DCLA, which should contain:

  • the name, address, telephone number and/or email of the grievant and
  • information about the alleged discrimination, such as the location, date, and description of the incident or alleged violation of the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, the NY State Human Rights Law, or the NYC Human Rights Law.

“Grievance” is the term for the allegation filed with DCLA by a member of the public.

“Grievant” is the term for the person alleging discrimination in the grievance.

Note: An allegation of discrimination may be filed with DCLA anonymously in accordance with the process below, but would not be considered a formal grievance for purposes of these procedures. 


When and how to file a grievance

The grievance should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the date of the alleged violation to:

Disability Service Facilitator
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
31 Chambers Street
New York, NY 10007
Tel: 212-298-8779
Fax: 212-298-8790
Email: disabilityfacilitator@culture.nyc.gov (Please include “Grievance” in subject line.)

The grievance may be filed in one of two ways: 

  1. By submitting the grievance in writing by fax, email or other delivery, using the above address; or
  2. Upon request, by an alternative means and delivery, such as an in-person interview or an audio recording, describing the A request for an alternative means of filing may be granted as an accommodation for a grievant with a disability.


Timeline following filing of grievance

Within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the grievance, the Disability Service Facilitator or designee will contact the grievant to discuss the grievance and possible resolutions.

Within thirty (30) calendar days of this contact with the grievant, the Disability Service Facilitator or designee will provide a response in writing. Grievants may request the response in an additional format accessible to them, such as large print, Braille, or audio recording. This response will address the grievance, describe the agency’s position, and offer options for substantive resolution of the grievance, where applicable.


When and how to file an appeal

The grievant may appeal the agency’s decision within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the agency’s response. 

The appeal should be mailed to:

Commissioner
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
31 Chambers Street
New York, NY 10007

The appeal may be filed in one of two ways:

  1. By submitting the appeal in writing and by mail using the above address; or
  2. Upon request, by an alternative means and delivery, such as an in-person interview or an audio recording, describing the A request for an alternative means of filing may be granted as an accommodation for a grievant with a disability.


Timeline following filing of appeal

DCLA’s response to the appeal will be provided to the grievant in writing within sixty (60) days following receipt of the appeal. Grievants may request the response in an additional format accessible to them, such as large print, Braille, or audio recording. This response will address the appeal, describe the agency’s decision, and offer options for substantive resolution of the appeal, where applicable.

All written grievances, appeals, and responses in connection with a grievance made to DCLA will be retained for at least three (3) years.

Note: Upon request to the Disability Service Facilitator, this page can be made available in an alternative format.


Five-Year Accessibility Plan

DCLA has developed a Five-Year Accessibility Plan in accordance with Local Law 12 of 2023