As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990 (ADA) the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon, request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities.

Auxiliary Aids and Services include, but are not limited to: qualified readers; taped texts; audio recording; brailled and large print materials; or other effective methods of making written and visually represented information accessible to individuals with visual impairments.

Auxiliary Aids and Services

Sign Language Interpreters provide communication accessibility when interactions between deaf and hearing persons are involved. Sign Language Interpreters are highly skilled individuals who transmit information between deaf and hearing persons, quickly and accurately. They adhere to a strict professional Code of Ethics. They are impartial and have a sole objective to convey the spirit and intent of the speaker, utilizing American Sign Language (ASL). ASL is the mode of communication used by most individuals who are deaf. A "qualified" Sign Language Interpreter is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary.

Oral Interpreting Services involve professional interpreters with specialized skills designed to meet the needs of individuals who rely on speech-reading as their primary mode of communication. Oral Interpreters follow the same strict professional Code of Ethics as Sign Language Interpreters.

Audio Listening Device Systems enable persons with minimal hearing loss to participate in the proceedings of large group meetings, and public forums. An audio system is connected to an induction loop that amplifies sounds and tones. Sound and tones are then broadcast to personal receivers which are used by individuals who prefer audio enhancement.

Communication Access Real-time Translation Services utilize machine stenographers (real-time captionists) who enter verbal communication into a software program by using a steno machine. The program converts the steno signals to English, which is then displayed on a personal computer or projection screen.

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) also known as teletypewriter (TTY) is a portable teletypewriter device that easily hooks up to a telephone system. The TTY employs interactive graphic typed communication through the transmission of coded signals across the standard telephone network, thus digital communication takes place and can be read on a screen, monitor, or tape installed on the machine. When a public entity communicates by telephone, a TTY, or equally effective telecommunication system must be used to communicate with individuals with speech or hearing or impairments.