Persons with disabilities who are members of the DMHAS workforce or applying for work with DMHAS are covered by ADA Title I.

Contact the DMHAS Equal Opportunities Office if:

• You are a DMHAS employee with a disability and you need a reasonable accommodation, or
• You are someone with a disability applying for employment at DMHAS and you need a reasonable accommodation or 
• You have a complaint DMHAS did not provide you a reasonable accommodation.

For more information contact the DMHAS Equal Opportunities Office 171 Bow Lane (Cottage 20) Middletown, CT 860-262-6886  Fax: 860-262-5197

Qualified persons with disabilities, including clients, patients, visitors and guests are provided effective communication and equal access and to DMHAS programs, services and activities as other persons.  DMHAS is required to provide reasonable modifications upon request.   

To request a reasonable modification

• Speak to the DMHAS staff person or clinician organizing the activity or program,
• Speak to the DMHAS facility’s ADA Title II Contact Person of the request. [Link to list of ADA Contact people]
• Contact the DMHAS ADA Title II Coordinator

Requests can be verbal or in writing:

Written requests should include: 

1. Name and contact information of the person making the request.
2. The requested modification
3. The DMHAS program, service or activity where the modification is needed.
4. Date and time the modification is needed.
5. How the request is a reasonable modification.

Requests can be verbal or in writing. Written requests should include: 

1. Name and contact information of the person making the request  
2. The requested modification
3. The DMHAS program, service or activity where the modification is needed
4. Date and time the modification is needed
5. How the request is a reasonable modification  

DMHAS is prohibited from asking someone to disclose their disability. However, the person can be asked to provide information and answer questions necessary for DMHAS to determine how the request can be addressed. 

The person does not have to answer questions regarding their request and refusal will not affect services being provided. 

• Requests should be made as far ahead of when they are needed as possible to allow time for a review and for arrangements. Requests should be made at least 10 calendar days before the program or activity. However, DMHAS may waive the 10-day period in urgent situations.
• Requests can be for services and auxiliary aids, such as sign language interpreters, printed material in alternate formats, or modifications to procedures and policies. DMHAS is not required to provide personal use items (such as hearing aids or wheelchairs) or personal care assistants.
• A person’s request is kept confidential and only shared on a need to know basis to make sure the request is addressed unless disclosure is otherwise required by law. Once a request is reviewed, a written response will be issued.
• Requests for reasonable modifications will be honored unless:
  •  The request fundamentally alters the program, service or activity or poses an undue burden and an equally effective alternative modification will be provided or
  • The request was denied because it was not made by or on behalf of a person with disabilities, the request was not for a reasonable modification of a DMHAS program, service or activity that directly concerns the person’s disability.

Requests for reasonable modifications can also be submitted in writing to the DMHAS ADA Title II Coordinator.   

Effective Communication

DMHAS Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing (DHOH) Services

DMHAS facilities offer Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHOH) to clients, patients, visitors and guests of who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Service Animals

The ADA defines Service Animals as dogs specifically trained to work for or provide a task for the person with disabilities using the animal. 

Service animals are allowed anywhere the public is allowed to go unless:

• It can be demonstrated the service animal would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity
• The animal poses risk of safety or health
• The animal is not under control of the person with disability handling it

If the animal’s use is not evident the person can be asked two questions:

1. Is the animal a service animal required for the person’s disability?
2. What is the task the animal is specifically trained to accomplish?

Service animals cannot be denied access to a public place due to other people’s concerns, fears, allergies or disabilities.

The ADA does not require service animals to wear vests or ID badges which identify them as service animals.  The animal’s user is not required to provide proof that the animal has been trained or certified by any organization. 

The person using the service animal is responsible for its care and the animal must be in harness or leash unless otherwise controlled by command. 

The person using the animal may be directed to remove the animal when it is not under their control or it is determined the animal poses a threat to health and safety or has a history of being a threat to safety. 

If an animal is removed the person is provided a reasonable modification to continue the program, service or activity. Service animals can be allowed to return once the reason for the removal is resolved.

The ADA does not recognize animals in training as service animals.  However, Connecticut statute requires places of public accommodation to allow animals being trained by a representative of an organization that trains service animals. 

DMHAS residential programs observe Housing and Urban Development regulations regarding Assistance Animals. 

Complaints

Clients, visitors, and guests of DMHAS state operated programs may submit a written complaint to the DMHAS ADA Title II Coordinator, Office of the Commissioner.  

Complaints should be in writing and submitted as soon as possible to when the complaint occurred.  The ADA Coordinator has 21 calendar days to address the complaint and issued a written response. If the person does not agree with the response, the complaint will be reviewed on request by a designee of the DMHAS Commissioner.  

DMHAS Title II ADA Coordinator:
William Pierce, DMHAS Office of the Commissioner
410 Capitol Avenue, 4th Floor PO Box 341431
Hartford, CT 06134
Phone 860-418-7000 (TTY Relay 7-1-1) Fax: 860-418-6691
william.pierce@ct.gov

Regulations regarding Title II of the ADA are overseen by the US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section-NYAV 950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20530 (1-800-514-0301).

For more information contact a statewide advocacy organization or seek legal advice.

Links to Resources

ADA Resources

• ADA Coalition of Connecticut (ADACC)
• Connecticut Association of Centers for Independent Living
• Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services
• New England ADA Center
• United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division

DMHAS Resources

• DMHAS ADA Notice
• DMHAS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
• DMHAS Client Rights and Grievance Specialist

Statewide Advocacy Programs

• Disability Rights Connecticut: 1-800-842-7303
• Connecticut Legal Rights Project: 1-877-402-2299
• Advocacy Unlimited: 1-800-573-6929 

This information is available in other formats on request from the DMHAS Office of the Commissioner. 

DMHAS and other federally funded healthcare providers complies with federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Section 1557).

REVISED:  November 18, 2025