Discrimination Policy
The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.
Employment: DCA does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with the ADA Title I employment regulations.
Effective Communication: DCA will, upon request, provide auxiliary aids and services leading to effective communication for people with disabilities, including qualified sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, documents in Braille, and other ways of making communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.
Modifications to Policies and Procedures: DCA will make reasonable modifications to policies and procedures to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy programs, services, and activities. For example, people with service animals are welcomed in DCA offices and facilities, even where pets and other animals are prohibited.
Requests: To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures contact DCA ADA Coordinator (505-827-6364 or accessibility@dca.nm.gov) as soon as possible, preferably 3 days before the activity or event.
Complaints: Send complaints to DCA ADA Coordinator (505-827-6364 or accessibility@dca.nm.gov).
Grievance Procedure
This grievance procedure is established to meet the requirements of Title II of the ADA, which requires state governments to give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities. It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA).
The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number, email address of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or an audio recording of the complaint will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.
The complaint should be submitted as soon as possible, preferably within 60 calendar days of the alleged violation to: DCA ADA Coordinator (505-827-6364 or accessibility@dca.nm.gov).
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the DCA ADA Coordinator will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, the DCA ADA Coordinator will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format that is accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio recording. The response will explain the decision of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.
If the decision by the DCA ADA Coordinator does not resolve the issue to the claimant’s satisfaction, the complainant may appeal the decision within 15 working days after receipt of the decision by communicating in writing, or other format accessible to the complainant, to New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs Cabinet Secretary.
Within 15 working days after receipt of the appeal, DCA Cabinet Secretary or the Cabinet Secretary’s designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the appeal and possible resolutions. Within 15 working days after the meeting, DCA Cabinet Secretary or designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format that is accessible to the complainant, with the Department’s final decision regarding of the complaint/appeal.
--Adapted from ADA Title II Action Guide for State and Local Governments, New England ADA Center, retrieved from www.adaactionguide.org.