Elected-in-charge: Mayor Ted Wheeler
Bureau or Office Director: Jeff Selby
We are tracking two reports and four recommendations
Both audits were about implementation of requirements in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Two of the recommendations have been implemented, one remains outstanding, and one is pending until follow-up next year.
Highlight from Last Year
No update in 2021.
To Do
We recommended that the Office improve its website, so it is more useful to individuals with disabilities. The City's transition to a new website held up progress on putting the Office's newly created resources online. The Office is working to make its new website accessible to individuals who use screen readers or who have cognitive or learning disabilities.
Americans with Disabilities Act: Coordination gaps complicate City response
Report published December 13, 2016 | Follow-up report | Contact Jenifer Amiott
The Americans with Disabilities Act's purpose is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same access and opportunities as those without disabilities. Our 2016 audit found the City makes accommodation requests difficult for individuals with disabilities and the process varies by bureau. More consistent data collection and analysis would improve the City's response to requests and complaints submitted by individuals with disabilities. The Office of Equity and Human Rights made progress last year to improve the consistency of the City's response to accommodation requests. City Code and policy were updated, and a dedicated coordinator works with staff across City bureaus. The coordinator educates bureaus on their responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and provides resources to help staff improve accessibility of City documents and events. These new initiatives should help individuals with disabilities achieve better access to City services.
On this audit there were two recommendations implemented and one in process.
City does not ensure Americans with Disabilities Act compliance
Report published December 8, 2021| Contact Jennifer Amiott
We noted compliance risks for the City related to the Americans with Disabilities Act during an audit of emergency preparedness but the risks were outside of the audit's scope. We are calling attention to them here so City Council and the public can act with urgency to address them.
This is a new audit with one recommendation pending follow-up.
In Process Recommendation Details
We recommended that the Office improve its website so it is more useful to individuals with disabilities. The City's transition to a new website has held up progress on putting the Office's newly created resources online. The Office is working to make its new website accessible to individuals who use screen readers or who have cognitive or learning disabilities. (Americans with Disabilities Act: Coordination gaps complicate City response)
Implemented Recommendation Details
We recommended that the Office identify and document roles, responsibilities, and processes. The City Council passed a resolution in Fall 2019 directing the Office of Equity and Human Rights to establish overall City plans and policies for the Americans with Disabilities Act and directed all City bureaus and offices to implement the plans. The Office of Equity and Human Rights adopted a rule governing Americans with Disabilities Act complaint procedures defining the roles, responsibilities, and processes. A dedicated Americans with Disabilities Act Policy Coordinator works with bureau coordinators to educate them about the Act and their roles. (Americans with Disabilities Act: Coordination gaps complicate City response)
We recommended that the Office improve the ADA Coordinator Program Guide to ensure consistency and continuity in bureau policies and practices and to identify documentation and data needs. The Office developed a complaint guidance manual for City bureau staff. In addition to the complaint manual, the Office has developed guidance on making documents, meetings, and other City services more accessible. (Americans with Disabilities Act: Coordination gaps complicate City response)
Pending Recommendation Details
We recommended that the Office work with City Council to develop a plan to ensure compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and allocate resources to ensure the plan is implemented. (City does not ensure Americans with Disabilities Act compliance)
Data Notes
At the end of every audit report, we issue a series of recommendations intended to make programs work even better. This report includes the status of Bureau recommendations since 2018, which was the beginning of our new follow-up process. We prepared it with a few audiences in mind:
- City Council can use it to identify bureaus that may need additional resources or support in order to implement recommendations.
- Bureau directors can use it to assess bureau performance and to determine if any changes in policy or procedure are necessary.
- Bureau management and staff can use it to track recommendation status across audits to develop work plans and priorities.
- General public can use it to monitor the status of recommendations related to topics of interest and to compare performance across bureaus.
This report includes recommendation status as of December 31, 2021.
Translated reports
Reports from this year and most of 2021 are available in four languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Russian. We are translating new reports as they’re released, but older reports may not be available in a language other than English. If you would like to request a translated version of a report, please contact Leslie Chaires.
Links
- Americans with Disabilities Act: Coordination gaps complicate City response
- City does not ensure Americans with Disabilities Act compliance
- Report: https://www.portland.gov/audit-services/ADA-compliance