The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission makes reasonable accommodations to assist individuals with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Since 1990 when the ADA was enacted, Oakland County Parks has been a leader in the recreation industry and a resource for other agencies looking to make their facilities and services more accessible.
Understanding that recreational opportunities are important not only for individuals with cognitive and physical impairments but also individuals who experience joint replacements, strokes and heart problems, Oakland County Parks has:
- Installed amenities such as flip door and faucet handles and ramps, and lowered controls like light switches and sinks so that individuals in wheelchairs can easily access them
- Created paved trails in many parks
- Considered ADA compliant in all park improvements, including trails, infrastructure and buildings
- Inspected and in the process of making all playgrounds accessible to wheelchairs and walkers; Paradise Peninsula Playscape at Waterford Oaks County Park is completely barrier-free
- Programs designed for individuals with physical and mental impairments
- Provide special equipment for individuals with disabilities
- Created an Other Power Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD) policy regarding visitors with a mobility disability using an OPDMD on park trails and pathways
Grievance Procedure under the Americans with Disabilities Act
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 the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission. The County's Human Resource Policy governs employment-related complaints of disability discrimination.
The complaint 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:
Melissa Prowse
Manager - Planning and Development and ADA Coordinator
2800 Watkins Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328
248-249-2801
prowsem@oakgov.com
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, Melissa Prowse or her designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, Melissa Prowse or 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 the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.
If the response by Melissa Prowse or 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 Executive Officer or his designee.
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the Executive Officer or his designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the Executive Officer or his 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 Melissa Prowse or her designee, appeals to the Executive Officer or his designee, and responses from these two offices will be retained by the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission for at least three years.