The Disability Services Coordinator provides services to people with disabilities by working with individuals with disabilities, their families, Village personnel, community residents, organizations, businesses, other public entities, and various service providers in and around Arlington Heights. Disability Services has direct contact with individuals with disabilities, and their families, providing counseling, information and referrals which includes the areas of financial need, mental health, housing, transportation, accessibility, and employment. Information is provided on updating of legislative and accessibility code issues and addressing safety issues. Emergency training has been provided to the Fire Department through a six-day bus evacuation training, sensitivity training was provided to the Engineering Department regarding accessibility issues.
Additional training continues to be provided to various departments.
As the Village ADA Compliance Coordinator the Disability Services Coordinator is responsible for addressing and following through on all complaints involving Village services programs, policies, and facilities relating to disability issues. Participation on the ADA Compliance Committee in developing the Village Transition Plan and Self-Evaluation is another responsibility. Review of facilities and services to assure compliance with the ADA will be on-going. We promote community-wide awareness to educate and sensitize people to the needs of people with disabilities. Activities include Disability Awareness Week, Village Quarterly articles, presenting at various organizations, changing the use of disability related terminology, and participation in Frontier Days, Autumn Harvest and other community events, business expo participation, restaurant information program on braille and large print menus and White Cane Law.