ADA Policies in the City of Oakland

Administrative Instruction (AI) 123 - Disability Access Policy

This Administrative Instruction (AI) is to describe the City of Oakland’s policies, practices and procedures for complying with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and related federal and state laws protecting individuals with disabilities from discrimination and guaranteeing equal access for individuals with disabilities in local government programs, activities, and services.

This updated AI reflects and supports the current City disability access compliance organization, related policies, practices, and procedures, and conforms to the regulatory requirements of and amendments to the federal and state laws since the original instruction dated August 21, 1992, as they affect City programs, activities, and services. This AI does not exceed or supersede state and federal regulations or jurisdiction over a given project or program, unless otherwise noted.

Read Administrative Instruction 123 here: AI 123

APPENDICES

Appendix A - Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
Appendix B - ADA Grievance Procedure and Form
Appendix C - Service and Other Assistance Animal Policy
Appendix D - Effective Communications Policy
Appendix E - ADA and Special Events Policy
Appendix F - Writing About Disabilities, Best Practices
Appendix G - Contract Schedules C-1 and C-2
Appendix H - Auxiliary Aids and Services Policy and Request Forms [internal document for staff use only]
Appendix I - Reasonable Accommodations Ordinance, Policy, and Form
Appendix J - Mass Care and Shelter Functional Needs Annex
Appendix K - ADA Curb Ramp Transition Plan
Appendix L - ADA Sidewalk Repair Policy [link to request Curb Ramp or Sidewalk Repair]
Appendix M - On-Street Accessible Parking Policy

Accessible On-Street Parking Policy

The City of Oakland establishes on-street disabled parking zones in the public right of way where required by the ADA and upon request by qualified individuals with disabilities pursuant to this policy: Accessible On-Street Parking Policy.

Public Right of Way

Technical Bulletin: Guidelines and Standards for ADA in the Public Right of Way - Oakland Public Works Bureau of Engineering and Construction

Departmental Disability Access Coordinators Policy: Administrative Instruction 181

The City of Oakland Departmental Disability Access Coordinators (DAC's) are liaisons to the central ADA Programs Division that houses the City ADA Coordinator, and will support their respective departments by serving primary points of contact for information dissemination, program modifications, provision of auxiliary aids and services, compliant investigation, and when appropriate implementation of the U.S DOJ ADA Standards (2010), the City’s ADA Transition Plans, and other physical access guidelines.

Read Administrative Instruction 181 here: AI 181.

Effective Communications Policy

All City communications shall be designed and maintained according to the ADA and Effective Communications Policy, which requires conformance with WCAG 2.0 Level AA or above in all digital and other information communications technologies, as well as in application and software development and procurement.

Now available: Accessible Meeting Toolkit, Accessible Meeting Notice, Guidelines for Accessible Power Point Presentations, 2024 ADA PowerPoint Template, ADA Programs Division Disability Access Poster

Equal Employment Opportunity/Anti-Discrimination/Non-Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedure: Administration Instruction 71

The City of Oakland is committed to equal employment opportunity and to ensuring that all employees have a work environment that is free of conduct that could be considered discriminatory or harassing based on the employee’s protected status, including race, color, religion/religious creed, sex/gender, pregnancy, marital status, age national origin/ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status or status in any other group protected by federal, state or local law. Read Administrative Instruction 71: AI 71

Inclusive Community Engagement: Administrative Instruction 6802

The City of Oakland is working to proactively identify and remove barriers to inclusive community engagement. This AI describes the roles of City staff and provides City staff with procedures, guidelines, and best practices to consider when selecting engagement strategies and accompanying tools. Read AI 6802 here.

Mass Care and Shelter Plan Functional Needs Annex

On June 15, 2010, the Oakland City Council passed Resolution No. 82836 C.M.S. adopting the Functional Needs Annex. The Annex complements the City’s Mass Care and Shelter Plan. The Annex makes sure that people with disabilities are included in the City’s emergency preparedness plans. The Annex is available online: Mass Care and Shelter Plan Functional Needs Annex Public Version 1.5.

Notice of Compliance with the ADA

Notice of Compliance

Service and Assistance Animal Policy

City of Oakland Policy: Service and Assistance Animal Policy

Frequently Asked Questions: Service and Assistance Animal FAQ
Poster: Service Animals Welcome

Special Event Access for People with Disabilities

It is the policy of the City of Oakland to make its special events accessible to people with disabilities in accordance with ADA requirements. Special events include indoor and outdoor concerts, festivals, fairs, luncheons, ceremonies and other activities to which the public is invited, whether held on City property or at other sites. Read the Special Event Access Policy.

ADA Programs Division staff has received numerous inquiries about the policy. The ADA Special Events Policy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document answers these concerns. Additionally, ADA Programs hosts City employee training courses on the ADA Special Events Policy. The City's ADA Special Events Policy Training Course is available for immediate download.

Contract Schedules C-1 and C-2

Contract Schedule C-1 Private organizations that provide goods and services to the public have independent responsibilities under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, regardless of their funding sources. Contract Schedule C-1, Declaration of Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, provides a mechanism by which outside agencies acknowledge their general obligations under the ADA before providing goods or services to the City.

Contract Schedule C-2 Contract Schedule C-2, Declaration of ADA Compliance for Facility Use and Special Events Agreements, provides a mechanism by which outside agencies acknowledge their obligations under the ADA and the City's ADA Special Events Policy before utilizing City facilities for public events and/or delivering special event services to the City.

Which Schedule Should You Use?

All contracts should use Schedule C-1, except contracts for special events services or for special events facilities rentals.

All written agreements allowing outside organizations to use City facilities for facilities rentals and any written agreements for special events services must include Contract Schedule C-2. If you use Schedule C-2, you do not need to use Schedule C-1.

In July, Councilmember Carroll Fife co-sponsored an ordinance requiring operators of residential properties with elevators to maintain elevators in an operable condition.

People with ambulatory and other mobility-related disabilities frequently rely on elevators to access multi-floor buildings. Access to a safe and functional elevator is often a determining factor when persons with mobility disabilities choose their homes. In residential buildings that contain elevators, regular elevator maintenance and expeditious repair of malfunctions are necessary to ensure that persons with mobility disabilities have continued access to their homes. The ordinance seeks to help ensure safe and continued access to housing for many residents with disabilities and sets out guidelines and requirements

This legislation was developed in partnership with the City Attorney’s Office, the Planning and Building Department, the Rent Adjustment Program, and the Mayor’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities. The City Attorney’s Office has also consulted with Cal/OSHA’s Elevator Unit, the state Civil Rights Department, and other attorneys specializing in disability rights. 

Read the legislation here.

To request a document in an alternative format, please contact:

ADA Programs Division
1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 11th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 238-5219 (711 for relay service)
Fax: (510) 238-3304
Email: adaprograms@oaklandca.gov