THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is landmark federal legislation that opens up services and employment opportunities to the millions of Americans with disabilities. The ADA affects access to employment; state and local government programs and services; transportation, and access to places of public accommodation such as businesses, non-profit service providers; and telecommunications. 

The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its services on the basis on their disability as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department management, and all supervisors and employees share direct responsibility for carrying out the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department’s commitment to the ADA. Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department ensures accountability in this commitment, and supports all parts of the organization in meeting their respective ADA obligations.
The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department coordinates internally with all appropriate offices in the investigation of complaints of discrimination, and takes a lead role in responding to requests for information about the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department civil rights obligations and operations.

If you wish to file an ADA complaint of discrimination with the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department please contact them via 973-743-9074, email Recreation Director or mail it to the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department, 84 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 or use our online form (I’m attaching the complaint in (English and Spanish) for on this email so it can be a clickable link that you can download the form)

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Title VI Non-Discrimination Policy

Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department (hereinafter referred to as “the Authority) may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form. The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. The Authority will only process complaints that are complete.

 The Title VI Complaint Form should be submitted as follows:

Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department

84 Broad Street

Bloomfield, NJ 07003

Attn: Michael L. Sceurman, Director of Parks & Recreation

Re: Title VI Complaint

Or the form may be emailed to msceurman@bloomfieldtwpnj.com

Once the complaint is received, the Authority will review it to determine if their office has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing her/him whether the complaint will be investigated by their office.

 The Authority has 90 days to investigate the complaint from the day it was received.  If more information is needed to resolve the case, the Authority may contact the complainant. The complainant has 20 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 20 business days, the Authority can administratively close the case. A case can be administratively closed also if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.

 After the investigator reviews the complaint, she/he will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. An LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member or other action will occur. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, she/he has 30 days after the date of the letter or the LOF to do so.

   A person may also file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration at:  

Office of Civil Rights

Attn: Title VI Program Coordinator

East Building, 5th Floor – TRC

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20590


 * The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department will provide appropriate assistance to complainants who are limited in their ability to communicate English. *

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 Transportation services provided by this agency are in whole or part funded through federal funds received through NJ TRANSIT and as an individual you also have the right to file your complaint under Title VI to Federal Transit Administration, at FTA Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.


Reasonable Modification Policy

The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department recognizes that disabilities are as diverse as the individuals they serve and recognizes the need to make reasonable modifications to its policies, regarding assistance offered to passengers who may require additional assistance to use its services.

Under Title II of the ADA, state and local governments are required to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures where necessary to avoid discrimination.

For those riders who require additional assistance, the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department will endeavor to accommodate all reasonable modification requests for such assistance by following procedures outlined below:

  1. Riders must inform the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department of the need and specific type of additional assistance requested at the time ride reservation is made.
  2. Reservationist will advise Dispatcher of the specific rider need/request. Dispatcher will log the information within the client information system and determine the resources required to accommodate rider.
  3. The Dispatcher will evaluate the request and report to the Director of Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department whether the request is reasonable to perform.
  4. If the Director of Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department deems the service requested to be unreasonable to perform or to repeat on a regular basis, he/she must cite specific reasoning to support the finding.
  5. The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department, must contact the rider via phone call at least 48 hours before the requested/scheduled trip. The finding must also be communicated to the rider expeditiously by written correspondence.
  6. Riders may appeal any such decisions by following established ADA grievance procedures. Complaints that a County program, service or activity is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be sent to Michael Sceurman, Director of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs at 973-743-9074 or email the Recreation Director.


A Complainant may also file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation by contacting the Department at: US Department of Transportation, Office of Civil Rights,

Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

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What Happens to my ADA Complaint of Discrimination to the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department?

All ADA complaints of discrimination received by the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department are routed to local area management for prompt investigation and resolution. All complaints received will be investigated, so long as the complaint is received within 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department will provide appropriate assistance (online and otherwise) to complainants who are limited in their ability to communicate in English or require accommodation. Complainants will be requested to leave contact information for follow-up about their complaints.

The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department aims to complete investigations into all complaints received, within 90 days of receipt. In instances where additional information is needed to complete an investigation, the investigator will contact the complainant using the contact information provided. Failure of the complainant to provide contact information or any requested additional information may result in a delay in resolution, or the administrative closure of the complaint. The Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department has a zero tolerance policy on discrimination and will take appropriate corrective measures in all instances where a violation of the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department non-discrimination policy has been established.

Once a complaint investigation is complete, complainants will receive a notice of finding via their preferred/available mode of contact (phone, E-mail, U.S. post, etc.). If no contact information is provided, a note regarding the outcome of the investigation will be saved on file for a minimum of three years. Complainants can contact the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department Customer Service at any time to check on the status of their complaint.

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Filing a Complaint Directly to the Federal Transit Administration:

A complainant may choose to file a Title VI complaint with the Federal Transit Administration by contacting the Administration at:

Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

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Further questions about the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department ADA Obligations

For additional information on the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department non-discrimination obligations and other responsibilities related to ADA, please call 973-743-9074 or write to:

Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department
84 Broad St
Bloomfield, NJ 07003

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