Consistent with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-12134 as amended and Executive Order 526, this Administrative Bulletin outlines and establishes the policy and programmatic framework through which the Commonwealth will proactively act to remove physical and programmatic barriers that limit equal participation in state programs, activities and services. Specifically, this Administrative Bulletin: (a) reinforces the objective of equal access for people with disabilities to state facilities, programs, services and activities, (b) defines an organizational framework to achieve this objective, (c) outlines the processes to achieve this objective, and (d) defines the roles and responsibilities of state agencies and personnel to achieve the objective.
Title II of the ADA, among other things, explicitly requires each public entity to: (1) conduct a Self Evaluation by examining administrative policies, operational procedures, and communication systems for possible unintentional exclusion identifies architectural barriers that require removal to achieve program access, and (2) prepare a Transition plan that refines the strategy for barrier removal, establishes a schedule for the actual removal and interim procedures to ensure access, and identifies a person responsible for ensuring completion of the work. Executive Order 526 establishes a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity in the delivery of state programs, services and activities.
