GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

FOR CLAIMS OF DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority (SMAA) does not discriminate on the basis of disability.  However, SMAA has adopted a grievance procedure providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or of any of the Federal regulations adopted to implement these laws.  In general, these laws and regulations provide that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by SMAA at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ).

The referenced laws and regulations may be examined in the office of Donald M. Farr, Manager Internal Audit, who is the designated Section 504/ADA Coordinator for SMAA. Contact information for Mr. Farr is as follows:

Donald M. Farr

Section 504/ADA Coordinator

Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority

6000 Airport Circle

Sarasota, FL 34243

(941) 359-2770, extension 4233

[email protected]

Any person who believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability at SRQ may file a grievance under this procedure.  It is illegal for SMAA to retaliate against anyone who files a grievance or cooperates in the investigation of a grievance filed pursuant to this procedure.

Procedure:

Grievances must be submitted to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator within 180 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory action.

Grievances must be in writing and include the name, address, email address and phone number of the person filing it.  The grievance must state in reasonable detail the alleged discriminatory action and the remedy or relief sought.

The Section 504/ADA Coordinator will conduct an investigation.  This investigation may be informal, but it will be thorough, affording all interested persons an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.  The Section 504/ADA Coordinator will maintain the SMAA files and records relating to such grievances.

The Section 504/ADA Coordinator will issue a written response to the grievance no later than 30 days after its filing.

The person filing the grievance may appeal any decision contained in the response of the Section 504/ADA Coordinator by writing to Fredrick J. Piccolo, SMAA President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), within 15 days of receiving the Section 504/ADA Coordinator’s decision.  The CEO will respond to the appeal in writing no later than 30 days after its filing.

The availability and use of this grievance procedure does not prevent a person from filing a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division or the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Civil Rights.

SMAA will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that disabled persons are provided necessary accommodations to participate in this grievance process.  Such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing interpreters for the hearing impaired, providing audio recordings of material for the visually impaired, and/or assuring unrestricted access to the location for the proceedings.  The Section 504/ADA Coordinator is responsible for such arrangements.