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Americans with Disabilities Resources

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ADA Resources

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the City of Stamford prohibits any discrimination against individuals with disabilities. There is zero tolerance for any such discrimination in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all private and public places that are open to the general public.  The City of Stamford is committed to equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. 

If you have a disability and believe you may need an accommodation to fully and equitably experience all of what Stamford has to offer, please submit your request to Carmen Hughes in the Office of I.D.E.A.S. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility Strategies for Stamford) by any of the following methods:

By Mail:                                                                 By E-mail:
Carmen Hughes                                                   IDEASforADA@StamfordCT.gov  
c/o Mayor’s Office                                                  
888 Washington Boulevard                                By Phone:
Stamford, CT 06901                                             203-977-7993

ADA Coordinator:                

Carmen Hughes, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion                                                                                                Office Phone: (203) 977-7993                                                                                                                                                    Email: IDEASforADA@StamfordCT.gov

Stamford ADA Advisory Council:                                                                                                                                            Council Co-Chairs: Phillip Magalnick, (203) 912-5783 and FJ Mercede, Co-Chair (203) 943-5152

The Stamford ADA Advisory Council is a group of dedicated citizens and government representatives committed to improving access for all persons, regardless of ability, to Stamford’s public programs, properties and services. Committee members have been appointed by the Mayor to work collaboratively towards the following mission and goals:

  1. Provide guidance and evaluate efforts to improve access for all to City facilities and programs;
  2. Develop procedures to identify and resolve access deficiencies;
  3. Advise the Mayor and the City’s Boards and Commissions regarding compliance-related issues;
  4. Connect the City and community to achieve greater awareness of the ADA; and
  5. Increase awareness and facilitate communication between the City, local businesses and members of the community.

To learn more about the Stamford ADA Advisory Council, click here

ADA Complaints

This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in employment practices and policies or the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the City of Stamford.

The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem.  Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or their designee as soon as possible but no later 60 calendar days after the allege violation to:

ADA Coordinator

Carmen Hughes, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Office of I.D.E.A.S. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accessibility Strategies for Stamford)

Office Phone: 203 – 977 – 9773 or Mobile Phone: 203 – 989-6916

888 Washington Blvd. 10th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, ADA coordinator, Carmen Hughes will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions.  Within 15 calendar days after the meeting ADA coordinator, Carmen Hughes will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape.  The response will explain the position of City of Stamford and after options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

If the response by ADA coordinator, Carmen Hughes does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complaint and/or their designee may appeal the decision of the ADA coordinator within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to the mayor or his or her designee.

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the mayor or his or her designee will meet the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions.  Within 15 calendar days after the meeting the Mayor or their designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.

All written complaints received by ADA coordinator, Carmen Hughes, appeals to the Mayor or their designee, and responses from the ADA coordinator and Mayor or their designee will be kept by (Applicant/Developer) for at least three years.

To file a complaint, please click HERE to access the form to complete. Once you click, you will be redirected to another page. At the top of that page, please click the hyperlink to redirect you to an editable Acrobat PDF of the ADA Grievance Procedure and Form.

Courtesy Rules of Blindness

When you meet me, don’t be ill at ease. It will help both of us if you remember these ten simple points of courtesy:

  1. I’m an ordinary person, who happens to be blind. You can talk to me as you would anyone else—no need to raise your voice.  If you have a question, please address me directly rather than asking my companion.
  2. I may use a long white cane or a guide dog to walk independently. If I use a guide dog, please don’t pet, feed, or play with my dog without my permission. If I’m in an unfamiliar place, I may ask you for directions or assistance.  Please don’t grab my arm, my cane, or my dog. If I need to and if you don’t mind, I’ll ask to take your arm just above the elbow and keep a half-step behind to anticipate curbs and steps.
  3. When I am in a room, I like to know who else is there. Please speak or introduce yourself when you enter.
  4. Please keep in mind that a door left partially open, particularly to an overhead cabinet or a car, is a potential hazard to me.
  5. I do not have trouble with ordinary table skills. At meals, I can serve myself and pass items to other diners, so please don’t reach over or past me. Just let me know what’s being offered and I’ll take it from there.
  6. There is no need to avoid words like “see” or “look.” I use them too—for example, I watch television.
  7. Blindness is just the loss of sight. My sense of smell, touch, and/or hearing did not improve when I became blind. I simply rely on them more than you might and, therefore, may gather more information through those senses than you do.
  8. If I’m your houseguest, there is no need to be extra attentive or to move any furniture; I’ll use my cane and other senses to find things or I will ask for your help.
  9. I’ll discuss blindness with you if you’re curious, but feel free to talk to me about anything that interests you.  I have as many other interests as you do.
  10. In all 50 states, the law requires drivers to yield the right of way when they see my extended white cane or guide dog. Only the blind may legally carry white canes. Normally I can hear the sound of traffic and will behave like any other pedestrian. If you drive a hybrid or electric vehicle, I may not hear your car approach, so exercise caution and use the horn if needed. You see more blind persons today walking alone, not because there are more of us, but because we have learned to make our own way.

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. Together with love, hope and determination we transform dreams into reality.

For more information about blind, or other matters concerning blindness or the blind, please contact:

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
111 Sheldon Road, Unit 420
Manchester, CT 06045
Phone: 860-289-1971
Email: info@nfbct.org
Website: www.nfbct.org

National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Phone: 410 659 9314
Email: nfb@nfb.org
Website: www.nfb.org