Harris County has an internal grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by the United States Department of Justice regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"). Title II states, in part, that "no otherwise qualified disabled individual shall, solely, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination" in programs or activities sponsored by a public entity.
Complaints should be addressed to: ADA Coordinator; 1310 Prairie, Suite 240; Houston, Texas 77002; (713) 274-5404 or (713) 274-5427; Email:
HRRMHCADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
Submittal Guidelines
A complaint may be filed orally or in writing
An oral complaint will be reduced to writing by the ADA Coordinator and should be provided to the complainant for signature. The complaint should identify the name of the person filing it (the complainant) as well as the complainant’s address, and briefly describe the alleged violation of the regulations under Title II of the ADA.
Submitted within 10 business days
A complaint should be filed within ten (10) business days after the complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation. In cases of employment related ADA complaints, the procedures established by the Grievance Procedure for Harris County employees will be followed where applicable.
Complaint investigation
An investigation, as may be appropriate, will follow the filing of a complaint. The investigation shall be conducted as directed by the ADA Coordinator. These rules contemplate informal but thorough investigations, affording all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to a complaint.
Validation of the complaint
A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the ADA Coordinator. A copy shall be forwarded to the complainant no later than twenty (20) working days after its issuance.
Complaint record historically preserved
The ADA Coordinator shall maintain the files and records of Harris County relating to the complaints filed.
Request a reconsideration
The complainant can request a reconsideration of the case in instances where he or she is dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for reconsideration should be submitted within seven (7) calendar days of the original determination to the ADA Coordinator. The ADA Coordinator shall consider the complainant’s request for reconsideration. The request shall be considered denied if no action is taken within ten (10) days after the date the ADA Coordinator received the request for reconsideration.
Prompt and equitable resolution
The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies such as filing of an ADA complaint with the responsible federal department or agency. Use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
ADA Rules to protect
These rules shall be construed to protect the substantive rights of interested persons to meet appropriate due process standards, and to assure that Harris County complies with the ADA and implementing regulations.
