How to File Complaints

The State ADA Compliance Program is the primary point of service for handling of complaints of discrimination on the basis of disability against the State of Alaska. Please review the following filing options and timelines for programs or employment. You may contact the State ADA Coordinator at any time for confidential assistance or referral.

Please note that the following list is not comprehensive, and filing with the state ADA program does not prohibit you from filing a complaint under the ADA or other disability rights laws.

Programs, Services, or Activities

• State ADA Coordinators Office
  Provides informal resolution for disability-based grievances against the State of Alaska.
  Use our online initial complaint process – coming soon.
  Filing Time:  90 Days

  About Grievance Procedures (HTML), How to File a State of Alaska ADA Complaint (PDF)

  Electronic Complaint Form (PDF)

• Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
  Enforces the Alaska Human Rights Act, which provides formal resolution of grievances on the basis of physical or mental disability.
  Filing Time:  180 Days
• Anchorage Equal Rights Commission
  Enforces Title V of the Municipal Code on the basis of disability in public or private settings.
  Filing Time:  Six Months
• U.S. Department of Justice
  Enforces the ADA for public accommodations and state and local governments, and limited matters of employment. Acts as a federal point of contact for ADA complaints.
  Filing Time:  180 Days

 

Employment

Enforcement agencies and filing times under ADA Title I, Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, or Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act:

• State of Alaska Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program
  Informal resolution within state employment.
  Filing Time:  90 days
• Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
  ASCHR enforces the Alaska Human Rights Act for public and private employers. Acts as a Fair Employment Practices Agency for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  Filing Time:  320 days
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
  Enforces ADA Title I for public and private employers. Enforces Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act for private employers.
  Filing Time:  180 days
• U.S. Department of Justice
  Enforces GINA for state and local government employers.
  Filing Time:  180 days

State Programs with Federal Civil Rights Compliance Requirements

Federally financially assisted programs may include civil rights compliance requirements, which may cover both employment and program-related complaints. Filing time varies, but is usually within 90 days of the alleged discrimination at the state level, and 180 days at the federal level. Some of the more requested programs follow.

• Section 504 Coordinator for Secondary Education Programs is responsible for civil rights compliance under the U.S. Department of Education.

• State Equal Opportunity Officer is responsible for civil rights compliance under the U.S. Department of Labor and Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

• State Equal Opportunity Officer for Health and Social Services is responsible for civil rights compliance under the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

• Civil Rights Office within the Department of Transportation is responsible for civil rights compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Other Complaint Filing Options

• Federal Contractors Compliance Program for employment related discrimination complaints against federal contractors or subcontractors. Filing time is 300 days.

• State Ombudsman investigates citizen complaints against state government agencies and employees.

• Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman identifies, investigates and resolves complaints and advocates for seniors.

• Office on Victims’ Rights provides free legal services to victims of crime to help them obtain the rights they are guaranteed under the Alaska constitution and statutes with regard to their contacts with police, prosecutors, judges, and other criminal justice agencies in this state, as well as to advance and protect those victim rights in court when necessary and authorized by law. Office is within the Alaska Legislature.

• Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault provides safety for Alaskans victimized or impacted by domestic Violence and sexual assault through a system of statewide crisis intervention, perpetrator accountability and prevention services.

• Municipal ADA Coordinators or Contacts may provide informal resolution of ADA complaints locally. Oftentimes the ADA contact is noted in the community charter or publication or the top official (Mayor) can provide resolution. See the Community Directory for contact information.