The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to, or in the administration of, its programs, services, and activities for the public.
In accordance with these laws, the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency will make reasonable accommodation to the known physical and mental limitations of people with disabilities in order to provide an equal opportunity to enjoy and participate in the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency 's programs, services, and activities available to the public. The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency will not retaliate against any individual who has complained of or opposed a violation of the ADA or of Section 504.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of Massachusetts Development Finance Agency or any other reasonable accommodation (such as American Sign Language Interpreters, assistive listening devices, handouts in alternate formats or language assistance, such as translated documents or an interpreter), should contact Amanda Wall, awall@massdevelopment.com, 617-330-2000, as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.
The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency has adopted the following grievance procedure to assure the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints by members of the public alleging that the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency has violated the ADA or Section 504, including complaints alleging retaliation for having complained of or opposed a violation of the ADA or Section 504.
Any person who wishes to make a complaint of a violation of the ADA or Section 504, including a complaint of retaliation, may do so by contacting the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency’s ADA Coordinator. The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency prefers to receive complaints in writing, although alternative methods of communication, such as a personal or telephone interview, email, or a tape recording, are acceptable. The complainant should provide his or her name and address and describe the alleged violation in as much detail as possible, including the date(s) and people involved. The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency asks that the complainant make the complaint as soon after the alleged violation as possible, in order to allow a prompt investigation.
Upon receiving the complaint, the ADA Coordinator will coordinate with appropriate Massachusetts Development Finance Agency staff to promptly investigate the complaint and determine whether it can be resolved. When the investigation is complete, the ADA Coordinator will communicate to the complainant the result of the investigation and any resolution.
If the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency determines that a requested accommodation would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency programs, services, or activities, or in an undue financial or administrative burden, the ADA Coordinator will provide the complainant with a written statement of the reasons for reaching this determination. The ADA Coordinator will also work with the complainant to attempt to identify alternative action by the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency that would not result in such an alteration or such burdens, but would nevertheless ensure that the complainant receives the benefits and services of the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency programs and activities.
If the complainant is dissatisfied with the ADA Coordinator's response, he or she may request reconsideration. The complainant may request reconsideration by submitting a written request to:
General Counsel
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency
99 High Street, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
The government enforcement agency for the ADA and Section 504 is the U.S. Department of Justice. Complaints to that agency may be directed to:
United States Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Disability Rights Section, NYA
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 307-0663 (voice and TDD)
Fax: (202) 307-1198
The MASSACHUSETTS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AGENCY has designated the following person as its ADA Coordinator to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities to the public under the ADA and Section 504: Amanda Wall, awall@massdevelopment.com, 617-330-2000.
