Division of Disability Access and ADA Compliance
Mission
To champion a culture of accessibility across the City of Atlanta by advancing ADA compliance through collaboration, innovation, education, and strategic partnership—ensuring that every resident, employee, and visitor with disabilities experiences full and equitable access to city services, programs, activities, and public spaces.
In her role, Mrs. Bowers Thomas leads citywide efforts to ensure compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and works collaboratively across departments to strengthen policies, programs, and services that promote accessibility and equal opportunity. She champions the integration of universal design and inclusive practices into City planning, operations, and community engagement initiatives.
About the Division
We envision a City of Atlanta where accessibility is not an obligation, but a shared value. Atlanta is “A City of Opportunity for All” where inclusive design, equitable opportunity, and disability empowerment are embedded into every policy, practice, and public experience, setting the national standard for municipal accessibility and inclusion.
Guiding Principles
- Ensure Equal Access: Provide qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from all City programs, services, and activities, consistent with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Prevent Discrimination: Ensure that City policies, practices, and procedures are free from discrimination on the basis of disability and reflect a commitment to fairness, dignity, and respect.
- Promote Integration: Deliver programs and services in the most integrated setting appropriate, fostering full participation and community inclusion.
- Embed Accessibility: Incorporate accessibility and universal design principles into City planning, procurement, infrastructure, technology, communications, and service delivery to proactively remove barriers.
- Sustain Compliance and Accountability: Maintain continuous ADA compliance through ongoing monitoring, evaluation, training, and corrective action to promote long-term accessibility and institutional accountability.
Our Non-Discrimination Commitment
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the City of Atlanta will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in the City’s services, programs, or activities. Additionally, the City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
How We Serve
Effective Communication
The City will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in the City’s programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.
Modifications to Policies and Procedures
The City will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all City programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in City offices, even where pets are generally prohibited.
Assistance is Available
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or services for ATLDOT programs, services, or activities, should contact the ATLDOT, ADA Director, Shauncey Battle-Williams, via telephone at 404-416-0304 or email at sbattle-williams@atlantaga.gov as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a City program, service, or activity, should contact the City of Atlanta Director of Disability Access and ADA Compliance, Angela Bowers Thomas, at 470-650-6566 or email at abowerservin@atlantaga.gov as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.