The first part of the workshop addresses Title I and the responsibilities of employers to their disabled employees. A municipal leader’s failure to understand and implement correct employment practices may lead to liability claims, the loss of productive employees, and controversy in the workplace and community

This workshop will clarify the many aspects of the law including:

• What is a "disability," and when does an impairment become a disability?
• What are employer’s roles and responsibilities to the disabled employee?
• Appropriate questions to ask during and after hiring

The second part discusses Title II, which requires local governments to make reasonable accommodations in their programs and services to members of the public with disabilities. While the cost of making structural changes often focuses leader’s attention to making buildings accessible to the physically handicapped, accessibility is a broader issue. Full accommodation requires looking at how programs, services, and activities are delivered to people with a range disabilities.

This section of the workshop addresses:

• When meetings and events should be moved or modified to accommodate the disabled.
• Structural changes to buildings, parks, sidewalks, curbs, and roads that should be made to assist the disabled.
• The mandated ADA Coordinator, the ADA grievance process, and the necessity of documenting efforts to ensure reasonable accommodation.