Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler presented a plan to the Starke County Commissioners this week on updating some ADA requirements in terms of communication.
Ritzler commented that the American Disabilities Act forms on the website are outdated and he’s been in touch with the IT Director to work on getting those forms changed and add some required elements to the website.
A form will be available at each commissioners and council meeting for a chance for the members of the public to complete surveys and provide comments. Ritzler said a packet for each department will also be prepared.
“I want to put together a packet for each office that has a complete policy, complaint form, public involvement survey, language identification flashcards, and sign-in sheets for public meetings in there,” noted Ritzler. “At the next department head meeting, we’ll show each department head how to use those packets. It could be a folder that they can just stick somewhere for when an ADA or Title VI issue comes up they can grab that and immediately know what to do.”
The proposed packet will be presented on Tuesday, Aug. 22 during the department head meeting.
Ritzler also plans to create an ADA/Title VI line item with $500 from the Motor Vehicle Highway fund in next year’s budget.
Additionally, Ritzler will be doing an assessment of all the buildings with Maintenance Supervisor Jim Coad to ensure ADA/Title VI compliance.
