SOM executive branch departments do not discriminate on the basis of disability in their hiring or employment practices and comply with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under Title I of the ADA.
Michigan Civil Service Rules and Regulations govern employment-related complaints, including those related to disability discrimination, for SOM employees. Rules have the force and effect of law. Regulations implement the rules issued by the Michigan Civil Service Commission.
The SOM executive branch will, upon request, provide auxiliary aids or alternative formats to qualified persons with disabilities for the purpose of effective communication. This can include but is not limited to providing sign language interpreters, procuring documents in Braille, or modifying color contrast. Determinations on auxiliary aids, services, and alternative formats for an individual are made on a case-by-case basis.
The Michigan Relay Service is available as a resource for people with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate by phone. Users may reach these services by dialing 7-1-1.
The SOM executive branch will make reasonable modifications to policies or procedures for qualified persons with disabilities in their programs, services and activities. Examples could include, but are not limited to, providing an exception to a no-food policy for someone with diabetes, allowing more time on an exam, or assisting someone who is blind with filling out an application. Determinations on reasonable modifications for an individual are made on a case-by-case basis.
SOM executive branch departments will not place a surcharge on an individual or group of individuals with a disability to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids, alternative formats or reasonable modifications.
The ADA does not require the SOM executive branch to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of their programs, services or activities, or that would impose an undue financial or administrative burden. In addition, requests may be denied if they would result in a direct threat to the health or safety of the requestor or others. Case-specific considerations, such as the timeliness of a request, may also result in requested accommodations being delayed or denied.
The SOM executive branch adheres to the Administrative Guide to State Government, Policy 1650.00 Accessibility and Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications as it relates to digital accessibility. This policy applies to printed materials and documents, meetings and events, videos and other media productions, social media, electronic documents, websites and applications. Procedure 1650.01 Reasonable Accommodations, ADA Title I covers SOM employees. Procedure 1650.02 Accessibility and Reasonable Modifications, ADA Title II covers public access.
Websites and applications are also subject to the SOM Digital Standards.
Questions on SOM digital policies and procedures can be directed to digitalaccessibility@michigan.gov.
You can submit digital content accessibility complaints via the SOM ADA Complaint Form or by contacting the SOM Department's ADA Coordinator(s).
Requests for auxiliary aids or services, alternative formats or reasonable modifications should be sent to the designated contact, organizer or accessibility coordinator for the program, service or activity an individual is attempting to access.
If a designated contact is not provided, contact the SOM Department's ADA Coordinator(s) directly to make a request. Requests that are not related to grievances or modifications involving persons with disabilities do not fall within the jurisdiction of SOM ADA Coordinators.
Complaints of disability discrimination within a SOM executive branch program, service, or activity may be reported directly to the department using the SOM ADA Complaint Form.
Review the SOM ADA Complaint Process for more information on how to file a grievance against SOM executive branch departments.
For disability discrimination complaints against businesses, employers, property management companies or other non-state government organizations, please contact the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) at 1-800-482-3604 or file your civil rights complaint online.
