The ADA is a federal law enacted in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, state and local government operations, transportation, and telecommunications.
Under the ADA, it is unlawful to discriminate in employment against individuals with disabilities, or to refuse to accommodate the known disability of an otherwise qualified individual, unless to do so causes undue hardship. The ADA Coordinator should be contacted with any issues related to ADA by calling 828-652-7121.
McDowell County will ensure that there is no discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability in services, or activities provided. McDowell County is committed to accommodate the known disabilities of its employees and citizens and is working to make the County a place where all can live and work.
The ADA requires that McDowell County's services, and activities be accessible to persons with disabilities. The County's employees and citizens with ADA-related questions, concerns, and grievances (see grievance procedure below) should contact the ADA Coordinator at 828-652-7121. McDowell County will work to resolve all grievances for employees and citizens.
This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in employment practices and policies or the provision of services, activities, programs or benefits by McDowell County.
The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.
The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or his/her designees as soon as possible but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to:
Maria Preswood
McDowell County ADA Coordinator
69 N. Main Street
Marion, NC 28752
Phone: 828-652-7121
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the ADA Coordinator will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the ADA Coordinator will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The response will explain the position of McDowell County and offer options or substantive resolution of the complaint.
If the response by the ADA Coordinator does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant and/or his/her designee may appeal the decision of the ADA Coordinator within 15 calendar days after the receipt of the response to the County Manager or his/her designee.
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the County Manager or his/her designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting the County Manager or his/her designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.
All written complaints received by the ADA Coordinator, appeals to the County Manager or his/her designee will be kept by McDowell County for at least three years.
