Definitions

The terms used in this policy shall mean the following unless the context otherwise requires:

“ADA” means Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a civil rights law which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in state and local government programs, services, and activities.

“Auxiliary aids and services” mean devices or services that enable effective communication for persons with disabilities including, but not limited to, qualified interpreters, notetakers, real-time computer-aided transcription services, assistive listening devices, Braille materials and displays, large print materials, qualified readers, taped texts, audio recordings, acquisition or modification of equipment or services, and other similar services and actions.

“Companion” means any family member, friend, or associate of a person seeking or receiving DHS/DFCS services who is an appropriate person with whom DHS/DFCS should communicate.

“Disability” means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of an individual’s major life activities . The term also includes having a history or record of such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment even if an individual does not actually have such an impairment.

“Discrimination” means the act (or action), whether intentional or unintentional, through which an individual, solely because of race, color, age, sex, disability, national origin or any other protected class, has been otherwise subjected to unequal treatment under any program, service, or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

“Individual with a disability” under the ADA is defined as a person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity; a person who has a record of such an impairment; or a person who is regarded as having such an impairment. The term individual with a disability does not include an individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs or alcohol.

“Major life activities” include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, reading, concentrating, learning, thinking, communicating, as well as the operation of bodily functions, such as neurological and brain functions.

“Mobility Aids and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices” means any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines… that is used by individuals with mobility disabilities for the purpose of locomotion, including golf cars, electronic personal assistance mobility devices… such as the Segway® PT, or any mobility device designed to operate in areas without defined pedestrian routes, but that is not a wheelchair.

“Qualified Individual with a Disability” is an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable modifications to rules, policies, or practices, the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities provided by the Department.

“Qualified Interpreter” is an interpreter who, via a video remote interpreting (VRI) service or an on-site appearance, is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary. Qualified interpreters include, for example, sign language interpreters, oral transliterators, and cued-language transliterators.

“Reasonable modification” means a change in a policy, practice, or procedure that is made to offer equal access to a public entity’s programs, services, or activities for a person with a disability. A modification that fundamentally alters the nature of a service program, or activity; or a modification that results in an undue financial or administrative burden (applies only to recipients of federal financial assistance) is not a reasonable modification.

“Reasonable Modification and Communication Assistance Request Form” is a form, either in paper or electronic format that can be used, at the option of the constituent with a disability, to request a reasonable modification or communication assistance and for purposes of tracking the request and response.

“Request for Reasonable Modification and Communication Assistance” is any specific written or oral statement by or made appropriately on behalf of a constituent with a disability, including through the “Reasonable Modification and Communication Assistance Request Form” that indicates the individual has a disability for which he or she needs a reasonable modification or communication assistance to access all DHS/DFCS programs, benefits, or activities. A request for reasonable modification includes instances where the individual initiates the request for assistance.

“Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973” or “Section 504” prohibits discrimination based on disability against otherwise qualified individuals on the basis of disability in all programs, services, and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

“Service Animal” means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with disabilities.

“Telecommunication Relay Service” (“TRS”) is a telephone service that allows individuals with hearing or speech disabilities to place and receive telephone calls. Georgia Relay (dial 7-1-1) is the TRS provided by the State of Georgia to make telecommunications accessible for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have difficulty speaking at no cost to the TRS user.

“Video Remote Interpreting” (“VRI”) is an interpreting service that uses video conference technology over dedicated lines or wireless technology offering high-speed, wide-bandwidth video connection that delivers high-quality video images as provided in 28 C.F.R. § 35.160(d) .

“Wheelchair” means a manually operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of indoor or of both indoor and outdoor locomotion.