Accessibility and ADA

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Access to Town services, programs, information, buildings and spaces is important to the Town of Chapel Hill. This page has resources for community members with disabilities.

The Town strives for:

  • Town buildings being wheelchair accessible and having Braille signage, fire alarms with visual and audio alerts, and staff with basic information about helping people with disabilities
  • Providing clear information on the Town website and other messages that can be read by people with limited sight and/or by electronic reading devices
  • Welcoming people with disabilities who want to participate in Town programs and services wherever possible

The Town is working to upgrade all buildings and spaces to be wheelchair-, sight- and sound-friendly, starting with the spaces used most by the community like sidewalks and key buildings.

How to Get Accommodations

If you or someone you care for needs accommodations, here are three steps to take:

1. Contact the department that runs the program, service, building or space. For example, if you need a sign language interpreter for a Library program, contact the Library. If you are not sure which department to contact, you can email info@townofchapelhill.org or call 919-968-2743.

2. Town staff at our buildings have information to help you. Some examples are:

  • Showing you wheelchair-friendly entrances, parking, and restrooms
  • Telling you about programs, services and resources for people with disabilities in that building or department
  • Printing information in Braille
  • Hiring American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for essential programs and services

3. You can also contact the Town's ADA Coordinator, Wade Gulledge, by email at wgulledge@townofchapelhill.org or at 919-969-5118.

Sidewalk and Greenway Concerns

If you see tripping hazards or other repairs needed to Town sidewalks and greenways, please use this website or download the Chapel Hill Connects app from the app store on your smart phone.

Unique Services and Resources

The Town has many resources and programs for people with disabilities. Some examples include:

  • The Chapel Hill Public Library has an optical character reader, assistive listening devices in public meeting rooms, and books in large print, e-book, and audiobook formats.
  • Parks & Recreation has many programs for people of all abilities. Contact Marian Kaslovsky (mkaslovsky@townofchapelhill.org or 919-968-2813) to learn what programs are the best fit for you or the someone you care for with disabilities.
  • All three Chapel Hill pools have wheelchair lifts and/or waterproof wheelchairs as well as ramps into the water for people with limited mobility.
  • Parks & Recreation hosts a Special Olympics group. Email Colleen Lanigan at clanigan@townofchapelhill.org to learn more.
  • Chapel Hill Transit has an EZ Rider service for Chapel Hill residents with disabilities.

What if I feel my disability was not accommodated?

Community members that do not feel their disability was accommodated by the Town may follow the grievance steps in the Town's ADA Policy. The first step is to contact Wade Gulledge at wgulledge@townofchapelhill.org, calling 919-969-5118, or mailing to:

ADA Coordinator

Town of Chapel Hill

405 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.

Chapel Hill, NC  27514

Complaints need to be sent no more than 60 days after the accommodation not being provided and include details about the event and a way to contact you.

Town ADA Coordinator

The Town's ADA Coordinator is Wade Gulledge. You can reach him at wgulledge@townofchapelhill.org or by calling 919-969-5118.

Town ADA Philosophy

Consistent with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Town believes and commits that "No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.”

Did you find what you needed on this website? Please let Wade Gulledge know if you do not see what you need. You can reach him at wgulledge@townofchapelhill.org or by calling 919-969-5118.