ADA or Title VI Grievance Procedures

The City of Providence has established the following complaint/grievance procedure in accordance with federal law to provide a process for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of disability (ADA) or other protected class such a race, color, national origin, sex and age (collectively Title VI).

If discrimination of this type has happened to you from a City of Providence program, service or activity, please file your complaint as soon as possible, preferably no later than 120 days after the incident to allow for effective investigation. Please be aware that no incident can be investigated or discrimination identified, without sufficient facts about the matter.

The City can only respond to alleged incidents involving the operations of the City of Providence. We may not investigate or respond to discrimination complaints about other entities. This procedure does not apply to complaints of employment-related discrimination, which are subject to handling by the City’s Human Resources Department: jalmeida@providenceri.gov. To file an ADA grievance/complaint against the Providence Public School District, click here.

If you need alternate format communication, a modified procedure, or other assistance, please contact the ADA Title II Coordinator at (401) 680-5333 or email ada@providenceri.gov.
 

FILE ADA OR TITLE VI GRIEVANCE COMPLAINT

 

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
You can file a grievance if you think the City has discriminated against you because of your disability or has not provided access to meetings, services, programs, or activities according to the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

You must file your complaint within 120 days of the incident. We need to know your name, address, and phone number. You will also need to give us the location, date, and a description of the alleged discrimination.
 

SUBMIT YOUR GRIEVANCE ONLINE
You can file a complaint through this online form. In the form you will be asked for the following information:

  • Your name and contact information
  • The department and program or service you were interacting with
  • The date and location of the incident
  • What happened that you think was discriminatory
Please include any other information you think could help us like the names of City staff you talked to or types of supporting documents you may have SUBMIT AN ADA OR TITLE VI GRIEVANCE.
 

SUBMIT YOUR GRIEVANCE ONLINE BY MAIL OR FAX
You can print out complete this grievance form before you visit, which are also available in Spanish. You can also create your own complaint:

  • we need to know your name, address, and phone number, and
  • you will also need to give us the location, date, and a description of the alleged discrimination.
You may return the complaint by postal mail or personal delivery to:

ATTN: Title II ADA Coordinator
City of Providence, Solicitor’s Office
444 Westminster Street, Suite 220
Providence, RI 02903.

You may also email your complaint to ada@providenceri.gov or fax it to (401) 680-5520.
 

DISCUSS YOUR CASE WITH THE CITY
Within 30 days of getting your complaint, the ADA Coordinator will contact you to talk about your grievance.

We’ll investigate your case and give you our decision in writing, or in whatever format works best for you. We will let you know the City’s opinion, and also offer ways to resolve the dispute.
 

APPEALING A DECISION
If you don’t agree with the City’s decision, you have 15 days after you get it to appeal to the City Solicitor. Call (401) 680-5333 (TTY: 711) for more information.