Definitions

The terms 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, brailled 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.

“LEP” or “limited English proficiency” means an inability to speak English as a primary language or a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English.

“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.

“National origin” includes, but is not limited to, a person’s or their ancestors' place of origin (such as country or world region) or a person’s manifestation of the physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics of a national origin group.

“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.

“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.

“Sensory Impairment” or “SI” means deafness, blindness, and anything that affects one of the senses such as sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste and spatial awareness.

"Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964” or “Title VI” means a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin under programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.