Office of State ADA Coordinator

Office of state ada coordinator

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation and all public and private places that are open to the general public.

What does the Office of the State ADA Coordinator do?

In accordance with La. R.S. 46:2591 et seq., OSADAC provides executive branch state agencies – and their designated ADA coordinators – with educational and technical support to foster voluntary compliance with the ADA. This includes implementation of mandatory ADA policies, training requirements and annual reporting. In addition, OSADAC provides informal assistance to the general public, such as identifying and connecting people with resources to address specific ADA issues. This may include referrals to other governmental entities or organizations for appropriate recourse. Lastly, OSADAC coordinates the State As a Model Employer initiative related to annualized goals and plans to improve the recruitment and retention of employees with disabilities in Louisiana state government.

Does OSADAC provide enforcement of the ADA?

No, OSADAC is not an enforcement agency. OSADAC serves as a resource to state agencies and the general public related to the ADA’s provisions on employment and reasonable accommodations, general nondiscrimination requirements, program accessibility, and effective communication. If you would like to pursue enforcement of the ADA, you may obtain more information or file a complaint as follows:

• For ADA issues related to employment: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at eeoc.gov/filing-charge-discrimination or the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights at gov.louisiana.gov/page/filing-a-complaint-with-lchr
• For ADA issues related to government services or places of public accommodation: U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division at civilrights.justice.gov/

Does OSADAC offer ADA-related training?

Yes, OSADAC conducts general and customized training for state agencies and other targeted audiences to increase awareness and understanding regarding the provisions of the ADA. For more information, please contact the State ADA Coordinator at Rikki.David@la.gov or 225.342.1243.

I need legal advice. Who can I speak with at OSADAC regarding my legal matter?

While OSADAC provides ADA information to state agencies and the public, it does not offer legal advice. OSADAC recommends you consult with legal counsel to determine how best to proceed in a particular situation. Other organizations that may be able to provide free legal services regarding an ADA matter are listed below:

• Disability Rights Louisiana: disabilityrightsla.org/
• Southeast Louisiana Legal Services: slls.org/