This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"). 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 Lee County, Florida ("Lee County"). Lee County's Personnel Policies and Procedures govern employment-related complaints of disability discrimination by Lee County employees.
Any complaint by a member of the public alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by Lee County should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.
The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to:
Joan D. LaGuardia, ADA Coordinator
Lee County Manager's Office
2115 Second Street
P.O. Box 398
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(239) 533-2314, Florida Relay Service 711
jlaguardia@leegov.comWithin 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, Lee County's ADA Coordinator or his/her designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, the ADA Coordinator or his/her 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 Lee County and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.
If the response by the ADA Coordinator or his/her designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant and/or his/her designee may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to the County Manager or other appropriate high-level official designated by Lee County, or his/her designee.
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the County Manager or other Lee County official or his/her designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the County Manager or other Lee County official or his/her designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.
All written complaints received by Lee County's ADA Coordinator or his/her designee, appeals to the County Manager or other appropriate high-level official or his/her designee, and responses from these two offices will be retained by Lee County for at least three (3) years.