Accessibility
City of Seattle Non-Discrimination Policy
City of Seattle: Anti-discrimination Laws
The City of Seattle prohibits discrimination in its programs, services, and facilities based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, caste, age, sex, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, honorably discharged veteran or military status, participation in a Section 8 program, the presence of any disability, the use of a service animal by a disabled person, an individual’s actual, potential, perceived, or alleged pregnancy outcomes, and the right of a mother to breastfeed her child. To file a discrimination complaint, please contact the Seattle Office for Civil Rights.
discrimination@seattle.gov
206-684-4500
Title VI: Civil Rights Act of 1964
The City of Seattle operates its programs, activities, and services without regard to race, color, and national origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. If you experience discrimination and would like to file a complaint, contact the Seattle Office for Civil Rights. More information on the City of Seattle’s Title VI Policy and the procedures to file a complaint may be obtained by:
www.seattle.gov/civilrights/titlevi
For language interpretive services: 206-684-4500 / TTY: 7-1-1
810 Third Avenue Suite 750
Seattle, WA 98104
TITLE II: AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Title II: Americans with Disabilities Act
People with disabilities are entitled to equal opportunity to access City of Seattle services. To request ADA accommodations for a City service, please contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, adacoordinator@seattle.gov. To file a disability-based discrimination complaint, please visit the City of Seattle’s ADA Grievance Procedure website:
www.seattle.gov/americans-with-disabilities-act/ada-grievance-procedure
206-684-2489 / TTY: 7-1-1
The Seattle Center Monorail is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal law since 1990, which protects the interests of the disabled community, including those with physical, mental and temporary disabilities (i.e. broken leg with crutches). Disabilities can also be defined as impaired physical & mental symptoms as a result of alcohol or drug dependency.
- The Seattle Center boarding platform has four ADA compliant boarding gates (there are two gates per train, gate locations correspond to train doors 2 and 7, and the gates are painted yellow). The gates are labeled with the international accessibility symbol mark. Monorail staff will direct passengers using mobility assistance devices to use these gates as well as passengers with large strollers for ease of boarding.
- The Westlake Station boarding platform has two platform edge doors with the international accessibility symbol mark that correspond to train doors 2 and 7. Monorail staff direct passengers using mobility assistance devices as well as passengers with large strollers to board through these specific platform edge doors.
- Onboard the trains, two official wheelchair positions are provided (seats have been removed), however, there is room for many more on each train departure. ADA compliant signs with the international accessibility symbol mark the wheelchair-user reserved positions on both trains.
SERVICE ANIMALS
SMS accepts all service animals as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Service animals are not limited to dogs, and may also include cats, birds, snakes, or any animal the disabled person determines is of assistance in providing comfort and/or guidance.
Policy on Reasonable Modification/Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities
It is the City of Seattle and the Seattle Center Monorail’s policy to make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, or procedures when requested to do so by individuals with disabilities when such accommodations are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability. Requests for accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be denied on one or more of the following grounds:
- Granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of the Monorail’s service, programs, or activities;
- Granting the request could create a direct threat to the health or safety of the requestor or others;
- Granting the request would create an undue financial or administrative burden for the Agency; or
- Without such modification, the individual with a disability is otherwise able to fully use the Monorail’s services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose.
Requests for modifications of the Monorail’s policies, practices, or procedures to accommodate an individual with a disability may be made either in advance or at the time of the transportation service. The Monorail is best able to address and accommodate a request when customers make their requests for modifications in advance. The process for making a request is as follows:
Advance Requests:
Whenever feasible, a request for modification to the Monorail’s service should be made in advance before the Monorail is expected to provide the service. When making a request, please thoroughly describe what is needed in order for you to use the service, and why this assistance is necessary. The Monorail will review your request and will make every effort to communicate in advance whether or not the requested modification can be made. Requests may be made via email to info@seattlemonorail.com
Same Day Requests:
When a request for modification cannot practicably be made and determined in advance, you may make a request on the same day, at the time of, or during service. You should make your request to the operator, and describe in detail what accommodation you require and why it is necessary in order to use the service.
Operators may grant a request if such request is reasonable and meets the requirements of the Agency’s policy. If an Operator is unsure if the request can be granted or declined, they are required to consult with their supervisor to receive direction. Operator availability may be very limited when providing service and if the request would require extended consideration, we may not be able to grant your request immediately, and you may be encouraged to submit a written request for further consideration in future trips.
The Monorail’s ability to grant the requested modifications may vary by day of travel, time of day, or other circumstances. For example, while a request may be able to be granted in one instance, that same request may be denied in another instance if granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of the service or create a safety threat, or if the request is not a functional necessity.
In determining whether to grant a requested modification, the Monorail will be guided by the provisions of United States Department of Transportation at 49 CFR Appendix E to Part 37. When choosing among alternatives for accommodations, the Monorail will givepriority to those methods that offer services, programs and activities to qualified individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate for the needs of the individual(s) with disabilities. In any case in which the Monorail denies a request for an accommodation, the Monorail will attempt to ensure that the individual with a disability receives the services or benefits provided by the Monorail by other means that comport with this policy.
In the case of a denial of a request, the Monorail will take, to the maximum extent possible and in compliance with its policies, any other appropriate actions to ensure you receive service.