Americans with Disabilities (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a civil rights law that Congress enacted to end discrimination against people with disabilities. It guarantees equal opportunities for people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services and telecommunications.

Title II of the ADA requires the Port of Bellingham to provide people with disabilities an equal opportunity to access Port services, programs and activities.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation to participate in a Port program, service, or activity you can use the accommodation request form or contact us at ADA@portofbellingham.com or call us at (360)676-2500. Please give at least 3 days notice in advance of the event or activity.

If you feel that the Port of Bellingham has failed to accommodate your disability or provide you with equal access to a Port program, service, or activity you may file a written complaint using our online form or by emailing ADA@portofbellingham.com.

Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Port of Bellingham does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. 

Employment: The Port of Bellingham does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with the ADA title I employment regulations. 

Effective Communication: The Port of Bellingham will, upon request, provide auxiliary aids and services leading to effective communication for people with disabilities, including qualified sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, documents in Braille, and other ways of making communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments. 

Modifications to Policies and Procedures: The Port of Bellingham will make reasonable modifications to policies and procedures to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in Port’s offices, even where pets are generally prohibited

The ADA does not require the Port to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. 

The Port of Bellingham will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.

Resources

File a complaint with the US Department of Justice

File a complaint with the WA State Human Rights Commission