| Office of Disability Rights
Mission Statement
The mission of the DC Office of Disability Rights (ODR) is to ensure that the programs, services, benefits, activities and facilities operated or funded by the District of Columbia are fully accessible to, and useable by people with disabilities. ODR is committed to inclusion, community-based services, and self-determination for people with disabilities. ODR is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the City's obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as other disability rights laws.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is a civil rights law that protects people with different types of disabilities from discrimination in all aspects of social life. More specifically, Title II of the ADA requires that all programs offered through the District of Columbia must be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.
The ADA protects individuals with various kinds of disabilities. To be protected, a person must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. The person must also be qualified to participate in the job, program, or activity at issue.
The most notable rights under the ADA:
• No Exclusion
• Communication Access
• Programmatic Access
• Architectural/Facility Access
• Employment
ODR Services
• Investigation of discrimination complaints
• ADA training and technical assistance for District agencies
• Oversight of ADA Compliance within District government through monitoring of agencies’ ADA plans
• Work with agencies’ designated ADA Coordinator
• Olmstead (community integration) planning
• Policy and budget recommendations for improving District access to people with disabilities
• To request training or file a disability rights complaint call 202-724-5055 or go to http://odr.dc.gov .
ODR Main Number: 202-724-5055 TTY: 202-727-3363 Fax: 202-727-9484
To contact us on the web: http://odr.dc.gov .
To download this page: ODR Informational Sheet - Microsoft Word** , PDF*
**This document is presented as a Microsoft Word form.
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