Accessibility and Civil Rights

ADA Accommodation Requests | Language Access Services | Civil Rights Complaints 

 

DNR's Non-Discrimination Commitment 

Notice under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

DNR values input from all state residents, and we do not discriminate against individuals with disabilities in our services, programs, or activities. This is consistent with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities.  

Non-Discrimination Notice

We are an equal opportunity agency and do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, disability, age, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disabled veteran's status, Vietnam Era veteran's status, or sexual orientation. 

Employment

DNR does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations stated by the U.S. Equal Employment Commission under Title I of the ADA. 

Federal Non-Discrimination Laws

As a recipient of federal funding, DNR is required to comply with federal non-discrimination laws, including the following:  
  • Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 5 and 7
  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended 
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
  • Age Discrimination Act of 1975 
  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972  
Anyone who believes they have been discriminated against in the receipt of benefits or services from DNR on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex, or believe they have been retaliated against or intimidated on the same grounds, may file a complaint with DNR following the complaint procedures outlined in the Civil Rights Complaints section below. 

Accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 

DNR is committed to providing information and services that are accessible to people with disabilities. We provide accommodations for the public, DNR employees, and job applicants. DNR strives to make our programs accessible to all persons, regardless of ability, in accordance with all relevant state and federal laws. 
 
Our facilities, website, and online services follow the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standards, Section 504 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Washington State Policy 188, and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, level AA. We regularly monitor our compliance, and invite our users to submit a request if they need additional assistance or would like to notify us of issues to improve accessibility. 

How to request an accommodation

You may request reasonable access to our programs, services, facilities, and activities. These may include:
Please visit our Language Access Services section (below) for information on Language Access Services. 
 
To make a request for accommodations:
  • Call: (360) 902-1000 
  • Send a Written Request:
    • Attn: Office of Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights
      MS 47000, Olympia, WA 98504 
      1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98504 

Hunting Road Access Program

DNR is proud to participate in the Road Access Entry Program for Hunters with Disabilities.    
 
This program is offered by drawing only. The program provides access to hunters with lower extremity mobility disabilities into areas with fewer barriers and vehicle distraction. 
 
This is a cooperative effort between the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), private timber companies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. For more information and to apply, please visit WDFW’s website. 

Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD) and DNR Trails 

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DNR allows individuals with mobility issues to use Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD) on many of our recreation trails and facilities.   
 
Please note that OPDMDs are treated as motorized vehicles on roads, which may prohibit motorized use. Please refer to DNR’s map of facilities and trails that prohibit OPDMD use before heading out, as the status may be subject to change. 
 
For more information, please refer to the OPDMD Use - Department Managed Recreation Facilities and Trails Policy and OPDMD Allowed Uses and Operating Requirements guidelines. Additional information for recreation is available on DNR’s Recreation site. 
 
If you would like to request a device-specific audit for a particular trail, please submit an accommodations request to CivilRightsTeam@dnr.wa.gov. 

Language Access Services 

DNR offers free language access services about our programs and services for people whose primary language is not English. For example, we can provide:  
  • Information in digital or printed format in your preferred language. 
  • Qualified interpreters in person, via videoconference, or over the telephone.  
To request these services, or to learn more about what we can provide, contact our Civil Rights Team at CivilRightsTeam@dnr.wa.gov. Language access services are covered by DNR's Community Language Access Policy.

Civil Rights Complaints 

DNR is committed to preventing discrimination in our work. We do not discriminate against people based on their race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex. We do not intimidate or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights or for the purpose of interfering with such rights. 
 
If you have questions about our civil rights program or concerns about discrimination in our work, please contact our Civil Rights Team (CivilRightsTeam@dnr.wa.gov).
 
You may also file a Civil Rights complaint by following the process described below. Members of the public should follow the procedures outlined in PO06-101 Civil Rights Request and Complaint Management Policy. DNR staff will process the complaint following GL06-101-001 Processing Civil Rights Requests and Complaints. 

How to File a Complaint

Any individual, group, or entity that believes they have been subjected to discrimination based on disability concerning any DNR activity, facility, program, or service is encouraged to consult DNR’s Civil Rights Requests and Complaints Policy or contact DNR’s Civil Rights Team to file a complaint.
 
Please submit your complaint in writing with information on the incident you are describing occurred. If you need assistance to provide a written complaint, please contact our Civil Rights Team at CivilRightsTeam@dnr.wa.gov or by calling 360-902-1000.
 
Your complaint should contain the following information:  
  • Your name, address, email, and/or phone number. 
  • If you are a DNR employee and your complaint is about discrimination you experienced at work. 
  • Name of the program or DNR employee(s) your complaint concerns.  
  • Description of the alleged discrimination, including the location, approximate time, and date of the event and the basis (race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or retaliation).  
  • Your signature. Or, if someone is filing the complaint on your behalf, their signature.   ​
Please send your complaint to: 
  • Call: (360) 902-1000 
  • Send a Written Request:
    • Attn: Office of Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights
      MS 47000, Olympia, WA 98504 
      1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98504