overview

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in transportation services; and programs or activities offered to the public, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability/impairment, or income status.

SEMCOG will ensure that qualified individuals shall not, solely on the basis of their disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any of its programs, services, or activities as provided by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

Accommodations at SEMCOG Meetings

SEMCOG offers reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Persons in need of auxiliary aids or services, such as interpretation services, are asked to contact SEMCOG with at least 72 hours (three business days) in advance of the meeting

ADA Grievance and Complaint Procedure

This grievance procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by SEMCOG. Federal and state law prohibits intimidation or retaliation of any kind for filing a complaint.

File a Complaint

The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination, including the complainant’s name, address, phone number, location, date, and description of the problem. The complainant can file a complaint online, or SEMCOG can provide alternative means of filing the complaints, such as a personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, which will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or their designee as soon as possible but no later than 90 calendar days after the alleged violation. The complaint may be submitted electronically from the online complaint form or mailed directly to SEMCOG’s ADA Coordinator.

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, SEMCOG’s ADA Coordinator or their designee will meet or communicate with the complainant.

File a Complaint Form

SEMCOG ADA Coordinator
Nick Friedrich, Internal Operations & Facilities Coordinator • (313) 324-3431

Website Accessibility

SEMCOG is committed to keeping our website accessible, transparent, and easy for the public to use. This policy explains how we ensure digital accessibility and how we manage and retain documents posted on our website. 

Digital Accessibility Commitment 

Regulatory Basis 

On April 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice published a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act establishing specific technical standards for web content and mobile application accessibility by state and local government entities. The rule adopts Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA, as the applicable standard. As a Council of Governments and Metropolitan Planning Organization, SEMCOG is a covered public entity subject to this rule. SEMCOG is also subject to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as a recipient of federal financial assistance. This policy reflects SEMCOG’s commitment to meeting these obligations. 

SEMCOG maintains its website and digital content in conformance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA. SEMCOG ensures that the materials it publishes are accessible to individuals with disabilities, in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its implementing regulations at 28 C.F.R. Part 35, as well as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 

Our accessibility practices include: 

  • Providing content that works with assistive technology tools 
  • Using accessible document formats whenever possible 
  • Adding alternative text for images and graphics 
  • Ensuring appropriate color contrast and readable text 
  • Structuring documents with clear headings and logical navigation

If you have difficulty accessing something on our website, you may request an accessible version or additional assistance by contacting Nick Friedrich, Internal Operations & Facilities Coordinator • 313-324-3431. SEMCOG will provide the information in a reasonably accessible format, unless doing so would result in a fundamental alteration of the service or an undue financial and administrative burden. See 28 C.F.R. § 35.164. 

Document Retention on SEMCOG’s Website 

SEMCOG publishes a range of plans, reports, data tools, maps, meeting materials, interactive content, and other resources as part of our responsibilities as a Council of Governments and Metropolitan Planning Organization. We follow a consistent and transparent process for keeping documents available online. 

What We Retain: 

  • Final adopted plans and major regional reports are kept permanently. 
  • Federally required MPO and EDD documents, such as the TIP, LRTP, UWP, CMP, and CEDS, are retained long-term, including previous versions. 
  • Committee materials, meeting packets, project reports, and topical regional publications are available for at least five years. 
  • Data tools, maps, and other digital resources remain online while active and are archived or updated as needed. 
  • News updates, event notices, and short-term announcements are kept for one to three years.

Historic or Legacy Documents

Older versions of plans or materials may be moved to a clearly designated “Archive” section of the website. To qualify as archived content under the DOJ’s final rule, such materials must: (a) have been created before the applicable compliance date; (b) be retained exclusively for reference, research, or recordkeeping; (c) not be altered or updated after being archived; and (d) be stored in a dedicated area clearly identified as an archive. Archived documents that meet these criteria may not conform to current WCAG 2.1 AA standards. However, if an archived document is updated or is currently used to access SEMCOG services, programs, or activities, it must be brought into compliance. If you need an accessible version of any archived document, please contact us and we will provide a reasonably accessible alternative. 

Review and Updates

SEMCOG conducts periodic reviews of website content to: 

  • Remove outdated information 
  • Replace materials with updated or final versions 
  • Improve accessibility as standards evolve 
  • Move older materials to the archive section

Questions or Accessibility Requests

Mobile Applications 

SEMCOG maintains mobile applications, including the SEMCOG app and the Park Finder app, that are available to the public. These applications, along with any mobile applications SEMCOG may develop or deploy in the future, are subject to the same WCAG 2.1, Level AA accessibility standards applicable to SEMCOG’s website under the DOJ’s final rule. SEMCOG is committed to ensuring that its mobile applications are accessible to individuals with disabilities and will incorporate accessibility requirements into the development, procurement, and maintenance of all mobile application platforms. 

Third-Party Content and Procurement 

SEMCOG is responsible for ensuring the accessibility of third-party content, tools, and platforms used to deliver its services, programs, and activities. The limited exception for third-party content under 28 C.F.R. § 35.200(b)(2)(iii) does not apply to content posted by contractors, licensees, or vendors acting on SEMCOG’s behalf. SEMCOG will incorporate accessibility requirements into procurement processes and vendor agreements to help ensure that externally provided digital content and tools conform to WCAG 2.1, Level AA. 

Accessibility Complaint Procedure 

If you believe that SEMCOG has not provided accessible web content or has otherwise failed to comply with the accessibility requirements described in this policy, you may file a complaint with SEMCOG’s ADA/Section 504 Coordinator. Complaints should include: (1) your name and contact information; (2) a description of the web content or digital service at issue; (3) the nature of the accessibility barrier you experienced; and (4) your preferred method of contact. SEMCOG will acknowledge receipt of a complaint within five (5) business days and will investigate and respond within thirty (30) calendar days. If you are dissatisfied with the resolution, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, or pursue other remedies available under applicable law. 

If you need assistance accessing information on our website, or if you have suggestions for improving accessibility, please contact:

Nick Friedrich
Internal Operations & Facilities Coordinator
313-324-3431

SEMCOG is committed to continuous improvement in digital accessibility and to meeting its obligations under the ADA, Section 504, and applicable federal and state law. This policy will be reviewed and updated periodically as standards and regulations evolve.