Commandant
2100 Second Street, SW
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-H
Phone: (202) 267-1562
COMDTINST 5300.1
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 5300.1
DEC 12 2001
Subj:
COAST GUARD AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS
1. PURPOSE. This Instruction establishes procedural guidance regarding the Coast Guard's
responsibility to investigate maritime transportation complaints alleging violation of Title II of
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
2. ACTION. Area and district commanders, commanders of maintenance and logistics commands,
commanding officers of headquarters units, assistant commandants for directorates, Chief
Counsel, and special staff offices at Headquarters shall ensure compliance with the provisions of
this Instruction. Internet release authorized.
3. DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. None.
4. DISCUSSION. Title II of the ADA requires that State and local governments give people with
disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities.
Public entities generally must: follow specific architectural standards for buildings; provide
access in inaccessible older buildings; communicate with people who have hearing, vision, or
speech disabilities; and make reasonable modifications to policies where necessary to avoid
discrimination. Also, passenger vessels must have nondiscriminatory eligibility criteria, make
reasonable modifications in policies, provide auxiliary aids, and remove architectural barriers.
Sometimes complaints are filed against state or local maritime transportation providers claiming
inaccessibility of port facilities or public ferry systems. The Coast Guard plays an important role
in ensuring that persons with disabilities are able to access the nation's maritime transportation
system. Maritime Title II ADA complaints may be filed directly with G-H or referred to G-H by
DOT's Departmental Office of Civil Rights (DOCR), other agencies, Senators, Congressmen, or
advocacy organizations. The Civil Rights Directorate (G-H) is responsible for processing such
complaints. Therefore, any command that receives a Title II ADA complaint should refer it to
G-H for appropriate action.
5. OBJECTIVE. The Coast Guard ADA Complaint Investigation Program shall implement
Subtitle A of Title II of the ADA (42 U.S.C. 12131); the regulations of the Department of
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