State Theatre's ADA Plan Outline

State Theatre Regional Arts Center at New Brunswick Americans with Disabilities Plan Outline January 2004

  1. Organizational Background

    The State Theatre Regional Arts Center at New Brunswick exists to enrich the lives of people from diverse backgrounds in New Jersey and to contribute to a vital urban environment. STRACANB does this by presenting the finest national and international performing arts, providing arts education to inform and build future audiences, assisting community arts organizations with technical and other professional expertise and encouraging New Jersey artists by providing a first-class showcase for their work.

    STRACANB presents a wide variety of events including orchestra concerts, Broadway shows, international dance companies, jazz concerts, pop events and many more.

  2. Organizational Policies and Practices
    1. ADA and Non-Discrimination Policy Statement
      • State Theater Regional Arts Center at New Brunswick
      • ADA Nondiscrimation Policy
      • Approved January 27, 2004

      The State Theatre Regional Arts Center at New Brunswick (STRACANB) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to the State Theatre, treatment of or employment in, its services, programs or activities.

      Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in the State Theatre services, programs and activities. STRACANB has a designated coordinator to facilitate compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as required by Section 35.107 of the U.S. Department of Justice regulations, and to coordinate compliance with Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

      While the above laws mandate equal access to people with disabilities, the STRACANB makes it a priority to establish a work place and environment that embraces the spirit of the law ensuring an optimal experience for all. Upon request, information will be made available in alternative formats such as Braille, large print, audiotape, computer disc, or via the State Theatreís website. The State Theatreís accessibility policy and appropriate access symbols are listed in all publications.

      STRACANB understands the physical limitations of the State Theatre. Along with its parent organization, the New Brunswick Cultural Center (NBCC), STRACANB is committed to addressing the facility's needs to eliminate physical barriers inside the venue through long term planning. This effort, combined with an ongoing array of services, has established the State Theatre as a venue to be enjoyed by all audiences.

  3. Grievance Procedure
  4. State Theatre ADA Compliance Grievance Procedure

    July 13, 2000

    This procedure is meant to provide an internal mechanism for the State Theatre to be used in the event of a complaint received from its public regarding accessibility. This procedure will also to assure commentary in reference to the organizationís policies concerning ADA compliance. Every effort will be made to satisfy the complainant at the earliest stages of interaction, based upon the organizationís increasing capacity to provide for full physical and programmatic access.

    1. Information Gathering

      2. The Access Liaison (General Manager) will communicate with the complainant to determine the nature of the complaint, and create an open dialogue with the complainant. Depending upon the location of the complaint, other staff may be involved in this initial process. The goal of this exchange is to address the complainantís need as quickly and positively as possible, within the scope of the organizationís ability to meet that need, and to use that information to assess future needs determinations. The Access Liaison will document all information received.

    2. Complainant Unsatisfied

      Following the Initial Interview, if the client is not satisfied by the initial information gathering process/interview, the Access Liaison will encourage the complainant to participate in additional mediation which would include the particular State Theatre manager of the location where the complaint occurred.

      If the client is not satisfied by the above additional mediation, the Access Liaison will assist the client in preparing a written description of the problem, which will be presented for review to the organizationís ADA Advisory Committee (This will need to be developed, and should contain at least the Board Chair or other legal representative, and the Vice President of Programming and Operations). This complaint must include:

      1. Name, Address, telephone number of complainant
      2. Detailed description of complaint, including date and time
      3. Location of access barrier
      4. Clientís recommendation for resolution
    3. Written Complaint

      The Access Liaison will assure the complainant that the purposes of the Advisory Committeeís review is to ensure that a solution is devised that will meet the needs of the client to the best of its ability. This will be done within established programs and facilities, and the committee will consider establishing new policies, programs and facility improvements to ensure this success.

    4. Reviews of Written Complaint

      Review of the complaint will take place within 30 (thirty) days after receipt of written complaint. The committee will consider:

      1. Is the complaint valid? Was access denied?
      2. What were the circumstances of the denied access?
      3. Is this a standard or unusual condition?
      4. Was lack of access a result of policy, and if so, is a new policy warranted?
      5. What must happen for access? Are there possible alternatives?
      6. Are there any mitigating factors that would limit resolution to the problem?
      7. What is to be done to assure success in the future? Will the solution demand funding? If so, how will it be funded and on what timeline?
      8. What follow-up should be done with complainant and by whom?

      The complainant must be assured that the recommendations of the committee will be presented to the Board of Trustees of State Theatre. The complainant is required to sign the recommendation(s) as acceptable to him/her, agreeing that if the recommendation is followed, the matter is therefore closed.

    5. Resolution of Complaint

      At the next appropriate Board of Trustees meeting, the recommendations of the Advisory Committee for resolution are presented, and a decision is made based upon that recommendation to allocate existing funds and resources and/or to include the recommendations as part of ongoing resource development.

      All staff are then notified by the Access Liaison of the nature of the grievance and its resolution. The recommended solution is implemented.

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The Cultural Access Network is a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.