(a) It is the policy of the City of Canton that public meetings shall be accessible, whenever possible, to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), Title II, Public Service. The City shall take steps to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities such as, but not limited to impairments involving sight, hearing, and mobility, in providing access to public meetings.
(b) An individual with a disability shall notify the official in charge of the public meeting 24 hours in advance of the meeting, if possible, that such individual wishes to attend the meeting and requires accommodation. The official in charge of the meeting or his designee shall consult with the individual with a disability to determine the particular auxiliary aid or service that is necessary.
The City shall provide a reasonable accommodation at the City's expense unless an undue burden would result.
(c) Pre-approval by the official in charge of the public hearing shall be required in advance of any public meeting where the individual with a disability wishes to provide his/her own accommodation. Where so utilized, with prior approval, the City shall pay the reasonable cost of such accommodation.
(d) A person with a disability who is denied access to a public meeting because of his/her disability may file a written grievance with the ADA Coordinator in the Mayor's office. The ADA Coordinator shall resolve the grievance in accordance with the Grievance Procedures adopted by the City of Canton in connection with its implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(Ord. 192-95. Passed 9-25-95.)