Accessibility at CMAP

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) strives to make our website as accessible as possible. We do this by following Section 508 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines produced by the World Wide Web Consortium (the web’s governing body).

Report a problem

If you require assistance or have a problem using our site, please report the issue by contacting us at communications@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-454-0400. We will try to fix the issue, and we’ll attempt to provide the information you’re seeking in a format accessible to you.

Find accessibility tools

Many popular browsers contain built-in accessibility tools:

To read Adobe PDF documents that appear on this site with a screen reader, please visit the Adobe Reader accessibility website for useful tools and resources.

Language access

CMAP will take reasonable steps to provide individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) with meaningful access to agency programs or activities. CMAP will provide free language assistance services to LEP individuals it encounters or whenever an LEP individual requests services.

Americans with Disabilities Act notice

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), CMAP will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Employment

CMAP does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations overseen by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.

Effective communication

CMAP will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services to facilitate effective communication for individuals with disabilities so they can participate equally in CMAP’s programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.

Modifications to policies and procedures

CMAP will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in its programs, services, and activities.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of CMAP should contact Claire Williams, ADA coordinator, as soon as possible but no later than two weeks prior to the scheduled event to ensure sufficient time for acquisition or modification of equipment or devices. Complaints that a program, service, or activity of CMAP is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Claire Williams, ADA coordinator (contact details below).

CMAP will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services, reasonable modifications of policy, barrier removal, or alternatives to barrier removal required to ensure individuals can participate in all services and programs.

ADA coordinator

As required by Title II of the ADA, all public entities that employ 50 or persons must designate at least one employee, commonly referred to as an ADA coordinator, to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this act. The ADA coordinator is responsible for ensuring compliance with ADA Title II regulations, facilitating accessibility initiatives, and addressing concerns or grievances related to the ADA within municipal programs and services.

This role involves coordinating efforts to promote equal access and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities, as mandated by Title II of the ADA. The ADA coordinator acts as a liaison between CMAP and the public, fostering communication and collaboration to enhance accessibility. The appointment of an ADA coordinator underscores CMAP’s commitment to upholding the principles of non-discrimination and accessibility outlined in the ADA.

Contact information for CMAP’s ADA coordinator is listed below:

Claire Williams
Deputy Executive Director of People and Operations, ADA coordinator
cwilliams@cmap.illinois.gov
312-386-8690
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
433 West Van Buren Street, Suite 450
Chicago, Illinois 60607

ADA grievance procedure

Recognizing the importance of ensuring equal access for all, this grievance procedure is established to address complaints related to accessibility and public facilities, services, programs, and activities.

Who may file an ADA grievance

Any person who believes that they have been excluded participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination because of a disability under any CMAP facility, service, program, or activity, may file a grievance. A grievance may also be filed on behalf of another person.

How to file an ADA grievance

Grievances should be submitted in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the issue.
Grievances can be submitted through the following options:

In-person: Grievances may be submitted in-person during regular business hours at the following address: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, 433 West Van Buren Street, Suite 450, Chicago, Illinois 60607
Email: Grievances may be submitted by email to CMAP’s ADA coordinator, Claire Williams, at cwilliams@cmap.illinois.gov
Phone: Grievances may be submitted by calling CMAP’s ADA coordinator, Claire Williams, at 312-386-8690
Mail: Grievances may be mailed to the following address: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, 433 West Van Buren Street, Suite 450, Chicago, Illinois 60607

Alternative means of filing complaints — such as someone filling on behalf of the complainant, personal interviews, or a tape recording of the complaint — will be made available upon request.

The grievance should be submitted by the complainant and/or by their designee as soon as possible, but no later than 60 days after the alleged violation to:

ADA grievance processing

Within 15 calendar days after receiving the complaint, CMAP’s ADA coordinator, or their designee, will meet with the complainant to discuss the grievance and possible resolution. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, CMAP’s ADA coordinator, or their designee, will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The response will explain the position of CMAP and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

ADA grievance appeals

If the response by CMAP does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant or their designee may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to CMAP’s executive director or their designee.

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the executive director or their designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the executive director or their designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.

ADA complaint record retention

The ADA coordinator will keep a record of all complaints filed for non-compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for a minimum of three years following the date of case closure provided all audits have been completed and no litigation is pending or anticipated.