Services Information for People with Disabilities Louisiana State Capitol
The Louisiana State Capitol supports the Americans
with Disabilities Act. In compliance therewith, this information has been compiled to
apprise employees and the public of the availability and location of appropriate
auxiliary aids and disability services upon request.
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Table of Contents |
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ADA Overview and Requirements |
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Procedure for Requesting
Services* |
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Services for People with Visual Impairments |
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this section |
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Services for
People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing |
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Services for
People with Mobility Impairments |
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Other Disability
Services |
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Helpful Information*
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this section |
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ADA Coordinator*
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this section |
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Grievance Procedure* |
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Map of the Capitol* |
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*Copies of these pages are available to the public by mail or at the
Visitor Information Desk on the first floor of the Capitol.
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ADA Overview and Requirements
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- The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis
of disability. Title II of the ADA covers all activities of state
government, requiring that state government programs, services, and
activities be provided to and accessible by individuals with disabilities.
As part of state government, the Louisiana State Capitol is required to
provide an equal opportunity to persons with disabilities in an integrated
setting, unless separate or different measures are necessary to ensure equal
opportunity. Thus, the services described in this manual have been
formulated to achieve the most integrated setting possible.
- Listed herein are the various types of auxiliary aids and services
provided by the Capitol. When an auxiliary aid or service is requested,
primary consideration will be given to the type of aid or service requested
by an individual. Some services require advance notice. To make a request
for services, please refer to "Procedure for Requesting Disability
Services."
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Procedure for Requesting
Services
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- Requests for disability services information or requests for any service
listed in this manual may be made by telephone or at the Capitol. The
following is a list of locations that can be accessed to request any service
listed in this manual.
Visitor Information Desk
(225) 342-7317
House of Representatives, Clerk's Office
(225) 342-7259
Senate Secretary's Office
Lil Luddy
(225) 342-5997
TTY Information Line
(225) 219-4688 in Baton Rouge
(888) 850-6489 statewide
Internet access: www.legis.la.gov
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Request Services
via Electronic Services Request Form |
- If an aid or service is desired at the State Capitol which is not listed
in this manual or if any information is desired regarding services at the
State Capitol, please contact the ADA Coordinator at
(225) 342-0367or for TTY, (225) 219-4688 in Baton Rouge or (888) 850-6489
statewide.
- For general inquiries regarding state disability services, please contact
the Families Helping Families Regional Resource Center at 1-800-922-3425,
or visit the web page for the Families Helping Families Regional Resource Center
at www.laddc.org/Initiatives.cfm?aid=6&id=9.
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Map of the Capitol |
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Services for People
with Visual Impairments |
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Braille printed documents and bill drafts are available
at the Capitol both in Grade 1, which is letter for letter printing, and
Grade 2, which uses contractions for letters often used together.
Requests for Braille printed materials should be made 48
hours in advance and should specify the grade desired. Requests for lengthy
materials may require additional time.
The cost of Braille printed materials is 25 cents for two
pages of Braille. If the bill is mailed, a minimum postage charge of $1.50
will be added.
Written materials and bill drafts are available in large
type print. Standard large print is 18 point. Requests for large type print
should be made 48 hours in advance. The cost of large type materials is 25
cents per page. Faxing is $1.00 per page, and there is a $1.50 minimum
postage charge on any bills mailed.
- Telephone Bill Status Information
Bill Status information is available by telephone at the
Capitol by calling any of the following numbers: (225)342-2456 or
(225)342-0769 in Baton Rouge or (800)256-3793 or (800)868-3178 statewide.
- Elevator with Braille Designations
Inquire at the Visitor Information Desk.
- Phones with Braille Designated Numbers
Inquire at the Visitor Information Desk.
A Tour Guide can be requested at the Visitor Information
Desk.
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Services for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing
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- Sign Language Interpreters
Sign language interpreters are available for programs and
proceedings at the Capitol, including but not limited to committee meetings
and floor proceedings. Interpreters are also available to accompany tour
guides for tours of the Capitol.
There are different types of interpreters, and the
Capitol will provide the type requested by the person who is deaf or hard of
hearing.
Requests for interpreters should be made 48 hours in
advance and should specify the type of interpreter desired. Every attempt
will be made to accommodate requests made with shorter notice.
- Assisted Listening Devices
Portable infrared receivers with headphones are available
for use in the House and Senate committee rooms and in the House and Senate
Chambers.
Requests for use of an assisted listening device should
be made 1 hour in advance for committee rooms, and headphones will be
distributed in the committee room. No advance notice is required for Chamber
proceedings. Headphones for Chamber proceedings are available from the
Sergeant at Arms Desk.
The Capitol provides TTY hotlines for individuals who are
deaf or hard of hearing. The phone numbers are (225)219-4688 in Baton Rouge
or (888)850-6489 statewide. The numbers connect directly to the PULS line.
PULS line staff have been trained to answer calls regarding bill status
information as well as disability service information.
The Capitol is equipped with TTY pay phones. Review the
Map of the Capitol for specific locations.
Bill status and other related information is available on
the Internet at www.legis.la.gov
Video Using a Mac
IF using a Mac, to watch the streams of any known
active roomfromeitherthe Houseor Senate chambers, follow the steps
below:
1.
These steps should be accomplished before logging on to the Louisiana
Legislature page.
Make sure that Flip for Mac is updated to the current version.
2. From System Preferences, Select the Flip for Mac WMV preferences
window.
3. Press VO+space on the browser tab.
4. Now, VO+right until you hear, Launch
Quick Time player". This will be unchecked by default. Check it by pressing
VO+space.
5. Now, exit the System Preferences window.
Steps to Stream.
1. Log on to the House Video page as usual.
2. Interact with the bottom frame.
3. Note the active rooms and choose which witch to watch by pressing
VO+space on the "VIDEO" link on the House website.
4.At this point, Quick Time will pop Open. A dialog will appear briefly
saying "loading movie". When the stream is loaded, it will begin.
NOTE: These instructions ONLY work with Safari. Firefox or any other
browser interact with VoiceOver differently, but with less functionality.
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Services for
People with Mobility Impairments |
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Wheelchair accessible entrances are located on both sides of the Capitol.
These entrances are equipped with automatic doors. Review the Map of the
Capitol for accessible routes.
A video of the Capitol has been produced which shows the highlights of
the Capitol and a view from the observation tower.
Wheelchair accessible elevators are located on the ground floor. Review
the Map of the Capitol for specific locations.
Wheelchair accessible telephones are located on the ground floor and in
Alario Hall. Review the Map of the Capitol for specific locations.
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Other Disability Services
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- Requests for services at the State Capitol not listed in this manual or
for any other disability information should be directed to the ADA
Coordinator at (225)342-0367or for TTY, (225)219-4688 in
Baton Rouge or (888)850-6489 state wide. The fax number is (225) 342-6153,
and can be reached at the following mailing address:
ADA Coordinator - State Capitol
Louisiana House of Representatives
P.O. Box 44486
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
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For general inquiries regarding state disability services, please contact
the Families Helping Families Regional Resource Center at 1-800-922-3425,
or visit the web page for the Families Helping Families Regional Resource Center
at www.laddc.org/Initiatives.cfm?aid=6&id=9.
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Helpful Information |
- Phone Numbers
Visitor Information Desk
(225) 342-7317
PULS Hotline
(225) 342-2456; (800) 256-3793
Legislative Bill Information Line
(225) 342-0769; (800) 868-3178
TTY Phone
(225) 219-4688; (888) 850-6489
Senate
(225) 342-2040
House Clerk's Office
(225) 342-7259
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ADA Coordinator |
- In accordance with 28 CFR '35.107, the House of Representatives has
appointed an ADA Coordinator for the State Capitol building. Any information
regarding questions, complaints, noncompliance or prohibited actions at the
State Capitol according to the ADA should be mailed to his attention at the
following address:
ADA Coordinator - State Capitol
Louisiana House of Representatives
P.O. Box 44486
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
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For general inquiries regarding state disability services, please contact
the Families Helping Families Regional Resource Center at 1-800-922-3425,
or visit the web page for the Families Helping Families Regional Resource Center
at www.laddc.org/Initiatives.cfm?aid=6&id=9.
The coordinator can be reached by telephone at (225)
342-0367(voice) or for TTY, (225) 219-4688 or (888) 850-6489.
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Grievance Procedure |
This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the
requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It may be used by anyone who
desires to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability
in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the Louisiana
State Capitol.
The complaint should be in writing, and contain information
about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of
complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Alternative
means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of
the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon
request.
The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or
his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than 60 calendar days after
the alleged violation to the ADA Coordinator:
ADA Coordinator - State Capitol
Louisiana House of Representatives
P.O. Box 44486
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-0367(voice) or (888) 850-6489 (TTY)
Also, click the next link to access a
grievance form that may be submitted via the Internet
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the
ADA coordinator will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and
possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the ADA
Coordinator will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format
accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The
response will explain the position and offer options for resolution of the
complaint.
If the response by the ADA Coordinator does not
satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant and/or his/her designee may
appeal the decision of the ADA Coordinator within 15 calendar days after receipt
of the response to the Clerk of House of Representatives and the Secretary of
the Senate.
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the
Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate, or a designee appointed to
represent either individual, will meet with the complainant to discuss the
complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, a
response will be made in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible
to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.
All written complaints and appeals received and all responses
thereto will be kept by the Louisiana State Capitol for no fewer than three
years.
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