REMOVING BARRIERS THROUGH SELF ADVOCACY. San Mateo County Commission on Disabilities

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1 REMOVING BARRIERS THROUGH SELF ADVOCACY San Mateo County Commission on Disabilities

2 EMO ADVOCACY Removing Barriers Through Self- Advocacy Do barriers make everyday life more difficult? Barriers, whether they are physical or non-physical can be very challenging and frustrating if they limit one s ability to fully participate in the community. Examples of physical barriers include a street corner with no curb cut, steps without proper visual markings or a counter that is too high to reach. Non-physical barriers may include denial of services or access to programs because of a person s disability, such as a person being dismissed from jury duty solely because they are blind. There are a number of ways you can remove barriers through self-advocacy. Here are some suggestions: 1. Reporting a Barrier: If you encounter a barrier do not hesitate to bring it to the attention of an employee. If you have a hidden disability you should consider explaining how the barrier limits your accessibility to programs or services, as it may not be obvious to others that a barrier exists. Most people are not aware of accessibility issues if not previously reported. In most cases a positive and courteous request for assistance will receive a positive accommodation. It is better to explain the issue and show a willingness to work toward a solution than it is to demand the condition be corrected. 2. If the Problem is Not Resolved: If the person you report the barrier to is not helpful you should ask to speak with a manager or supervisor. If no one is available, or if the barrier remains, request the name, title, mailing address and phone number of the person to contact. Once you have received this information, you can submit a written request for a reasonable accommodation. When submitting a written request include your name, address, phone number, nature of the barrier and the name of the employee(s) you spoke to. Request a written response within 30 days. In some cases removal of a barrier may take longer, however it is reasonable to expect a response to your request within 30 days. 3. Receiving Assistance: REMOVING BARRIERS Consider contacting a local advocacy agency if you return to discuss the barrier or if there is no response to your written request after 30 days. Be prepared to provide copies of the letter(s) you sent and information about the conversations that took place regarding the barrier.

3 THROUGH SELF ADVOCACY For assistance in the removal of barriers the Commission on Disabilities suggests contacting the following advocacy agencies: Center for Independence of the Disabled, Inc. (all disabilities) 873 O Neill Avenue Belmont, CA (650) voice (650) fax (650) TDD cidbelmont@aol.com PARCA (developmental disabilities) 1750 El Camino Real, Suite 105 Burlingame, CA (650) voice (650) fax Internet: Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County (all disabilities) Clients Rights Advocate 521 East 5 th Avenue San Mateo, CA (650) voice (650) fax (650) TDD Internet: Project Sentinel (Housing Discrimination) 430 Sherman Avenue Palo Alto, CA (650) voice (650) fax Projsenkc@aol.com Peninsula Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired 2470 El Camino Real, Suite 107 Palo Alto, CA (650) voice (650) fax Internet:

4 BARRIERS AT CITY & COUNTY FACILITIES To assist in the reporting of barriers at city and county owned or operated buildings, facilities, streets, parks and programs, the Commission on Disabilities is providing the following directories. Cities and towns are listed in alphabetical order and may have street addresses, phone, Fax and TDD numbers, internet reporting and addresses. Please select the jurisdiction from the appropriate directory and use the reporting method that best serves your needs. Physical barriers should be reported to the following Atherton 91 Ashfield Road Atherton, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Belmont th Ave. Belmont, CA. (650) Voice (650) Fax (650) TDD Internet: Brisbane Planning Director 50 Park Place Brisbane, CA (415) Voice (415) Fax Burlingame Public Works Department 501 Primrose Road Burlingame, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Colma Building & Safety Department 1188 El Camino Real Colma, CA Atten: Mike Cully (650) Voice (650) Fax Daly City Director of Public Works th St Daly City, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax (650) TDD

5 PHYSICAL BARRIERS East Palo Alto Municipal Center 2200 University Avenue East Palo Alto, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Foster City Assistant City Manager Kristi Chappelle 610 Foster City Blvd. Foster City, CA (650) voice (650) fax Half Moon Bay Public Works Department 501 Main Street Half Moon Bay, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Hillsborough Town Engineer 1600 Floribunda Ave Hillsborough, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Menlo Park City Manager 701 Laurel St. Menlo Park, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Millbrae City Hall Complex 621 Magnolia Avenue Millbrae, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Internet: Pacifica Public Works Department 170 Santa Maria Ave Pacifica, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax ADA Review Committee Steve Wright (650) Portola Valley Town Administration 765 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Redwood City 1400 Broadway Redwood City, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax (650) TDD Internet:

6 PHYSICAL BARRIERS San Bruno Public Works Department 567 El Camino Real San Bruno, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax San Carlos 600 Elm Street San Carlos, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Internet: South San Francisco City Engineer 315 Maple Ave So. San Francisco, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax (800) TDD Woodside 2955 Woodside Road Woodside, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax City of San Mateo Public Works Department 330 West 20th Avenue San Mateo, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Internet: San Mateo County (Unincorporated) Director of Public Works 555 County Center, 5th Floor Redwood City, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax

7 NON-PHYSICAL BARRIERS Non-physical barriers should be reported to the following Atherton Ralph Freedman 91 Ashfield Road Atherton CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Belmont City Manager th Ave Belmont, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax (650) TDD Brisbane City Clerk 50 Park Place Brisbane, CA (415) Voice (415) Fax cityhall@ci.brisbane.ca.us Burlingame Assistant City Manager 501 Primrose Road Burlingame, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Rbecker@burlingame.org Internet: Colma Town Hall Atten: Holly Brock Cohn 1198 El Camino Real Colma, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Daly City Atten: Richard Berger th St. Daly City, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax (650) TDD rberger@dalycity.org East Palo Alto Municipal Center Atten: Russell Averhart 2415 University Avenue East Palo Alto, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Foster City Assistant City Manager Kristi Chappelle 610 Foster City Blvd. Foster City, CA (650) voice (650) fax Kchappelle@fostercity.org

8 NON-PHYSICAL BARRIERS Half Moon Bay Atten: Steve Jespersen 501 Main Street Half Moon Bay, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Hillsborough Atten: Martha DeBry 1600 Floribunda Ave Hillsborough, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Menlo Park Assistant City Manager 701 Laurel St Menlo Park, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Millbrae City Hall Complex Assistant City Administrator 621 Magnolia Avenue Millbrae, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Internet: Pacifica Atten: Holly Brok Cohn 170 Santa Maria Ave Pacifica, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Portola Valley Town Administration 765 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Redwood City Atten: Araceli Fierro 1017 Middlefield Road Redwood City, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax (650) TDD Internet: San Bruno Assistant City Manager 567 El Camino Real San Bruno, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax

9 NON-PHYSICAL BARRIERS San Carlos City Manager 600 Elm Street San Carlos, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Internet: City of San Mateo Human Resources 330 West 20th Avenue San Mateo, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax Internet: South San Francisco Fire Marshall Chief Building Official 315 Maple Ave So. San Francisco, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax (800) TDD Woodside Town Clerk P.O. Box Woodside, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax San Mateo County (Unincorporated Areas) Stephen Juel th Avenue San Mateo, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax (650) TDD San Mateo County Superior Courts Deputy Court Executive Officer 400 County Center Redwood City, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax

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12 Advocating for the removal of barriers can be a very rewarding experience, if you use the right approach in resolving the issues. Your actions may have a positive impression on others under similar circumstances. Remember, a good advocate does not get discouraged or let the process frustrate their forward progress in achieving what they set out to do. San Mateo County Commission On Disabilities th Avenue San Mateo, CA (650) Voice (650) Fax (650) TDD 24 Hour Emergency Referral 1(800)675-TIES (8437) Visit our web site