FACT SHEET

Settlement Agreement between the United States of America and Santa Rosa, California

On December 16, 2009, the Department of Justice entered into a settlement agreement with Santa Rosa, California, under title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

The Department of Justice initiated a compliance review of Santa Rosa in October, 2007, as part of Project Civic Access, a Departmental initiative to ensure greater access for Americans with disabilities to local government programs, services, activities, and facilities. An on-site survey of the City's buildings, programs, and services was conducted in January, 2008. City staff worked cooperatively with the Department throughout the compliance review process in order to reach an agreement.

Facilities covered by the agreement include: A Place to Play, Bellevue Ranch Park, Bicentennial Park, Francis Nielson Park, Transit Operations Building, Nagasawa Park, Parks and Recreation Annex, Rincon Valley Library, Southwest Community Park, Bennett Valley Golf Course, Franklin Park, Garage #12, Howarth Park, Ridgway Swim Center, Sam Jones Community Center, Bennett Valley Senior Center, Benton Street Clubhouse, Central Library, City Hall, City Hall Annex, Doyle Park, Finley Aquatic, Community Center and Park, Fire Station #2, Fire Station #4, Galvin Community Park, Garage #1, Garage #3, Garage #5, Garage #9, Julliard Park, Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant, Luther Burbank Home and Gardens, Martin Luther King Park, Municipal Service Center - North, Municipal Service Center - South, North Park, Northwest Community Park, Northwest Library, Public Safety Building, Rincon Park, Sonoma County Museum (Old Post Office), Steele Lane Community Center, and Youth Park.

The Department also reviewed the City's polling places, emergency management procedures, employment policies, sidewalks, and its 9-1-1 emergency services.

The physical changes and the signs noted below are not required at every facility. The text of the settlement agreement specifies where modifications will be made. Among other things, the City has agreed to:

• make physical modifications to its facilities so that parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, public telephones, restrooms, service counters, and drinking fountains are accessible to people with disabilities;
• post, publish, and distribute a notice to inform members of the public of the provisions of title II and their applicability to the City's programs, services, and activities;
• officially recognize California's telephone relay service, and train staff in using the relay service for telephone communications;
• develop a method for providing emergency management policies and procedures for persons with disabilities, including preparation, notification, response, and clean up;
• develop a method for providing information for interested persons with disabilities concerning the existence and location of the City's accessible services, activities, and programs;
• install signs at any inaccessible entrance to a facility directing users to an accessible entrance or to information about other accessible facilities; and
• implement a plan on accessibility of sidewalks and curb cuts throughout the City.

The settlement agreement will remain in effect for 5 years from December 16, 2009 or until the parties agree that all actions required by the Agreement have been completed, whichever is later.

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