DISABLED SERVICES

PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DISABLED SERVICES DIVISION

117 West Duval Street, Suite 205 - 32202

904-255-5466

904-255-5475 (TTY) www.jaxada.com www.coj.net

The Disabled Services Division’s overall goal is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by addressing, researching, and attempting to resolve the many barriers they encounter. These barriers include transportation, housing, accessibility, discrimination and employment.

The Division achieves this by:

• Monitoring federal and state legislation relating to disability rights and laws.

• Reviewing policies that impact citizens with disabilities, including services and programs provided by the city.

• Reviewing design plans for new construction and inspecting existing facilities to ensure accessibility.

• Providing ADA technical support to local agencies and businesses.

• Providing Braille and other accommodation requests to city departments in order to comply with federal laws and remove communication barriers.

• Working closely with the Mayor’s Disability Council concerning issues relevant to citizens with disabilities.

The Division also works to remove barriers by offering programs and services to the community, which include:

• The Disabled Parking Enforcement Program, which consists of approximately 65 Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) certified auxiliary parking enforcement specialists who give their time and talents to enforce disability parking statutes within Duval County.

• Special Trainings and Events, including the ADA Symposium, Information and Technology for Accessibility Symposium, Hiring Abilities, Employment Symposium, Fun with the Jumbo Shrimp, the Spirit of the ADA, and other sponsored events for the community.

The Division has also partnered with local agencies such as Independent Living Resource Center of Northeast Florida, Jacksonville Job Corps, the Jacksonville Library, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority to promote accessibility through:

• The Wheelchair Repair Program

• Emergency Assistance

• Waste Assistance Program

• Cane Detector Program

• Jim Brady Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

• The Title III Support Program, which provides technical support to local businesses to ensure compliance of disabled parking space requirements by state and local ordinance.

• The Wheelchair Ramp Program, which provides assistance for qualified citizens who need a wheelchair ramp installed to provide independence.

• Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program, which offers adaptive sports and recreation such as basketball, baseball, goalball, surfing, and rugby in city park facilities.

• Information and Referral Handbook available electronically and in print.

TALKING BOOKS AND SPECIAL NEEDS LIBRARY Main Library Conference Level 904-255-2665 ext. 7 www.jaxpubliclibrary.org

Anyone who has difficulty holding, handling or reading a standard print book because of a visual or physical disability may be eligible to receive our free services. Sign up to receive books in digital format, mailed to you free of charge. The Talking Books Collection is comparable to the library’s print collection in quantity and variety. Popular magazines, newspaper access and described DVDs are also available. Return postage and loaned equipment are also free to eligible participants.