Accessibility

Local Law 12 of 2023, codified as NYC Administrative Code §23-1004, requires every agency to develop and implement a plan that includes the steps it is currently taking and will be taking over the next 5 years to ensure that the agency’s workplace, services, 
programs, and activities are accessible to and accommodating and inclusive of persons with disabilities. The accompanying plan is Department of Buildings proposed 5-year accessibility plan under Local Law 12. We encourage you to provide feedback that we will consider as we work to finalize the plan over the next several months.

Anyone can comment on the proposed plan by:

• Email. You can email comments to accessibilityinfo@buildings.nyc.gov. Please include Accessibility Plan in the subject line.
• Website. You can submit comments via the Agency Accessibility Plan website at nyc.gov/accessibilityplans.
• Mail. You can mail comments to:
  
  NYC Department of Buildings
  Attn: Lisa Atkinson, Disability Service Facilitator
  280 Broadway
  New York, NY 10007
  
  NOTE: Please indicate you are commenting on DOB's 5-year Accessibility Plan.

Yes. The deadline to submit comments is February 14, 2025. If sending comments by mail, your comments must be postmarked no later than February 14, 2025.

You may request a copy of the proposed plan in an alternative format, such as Braille or an audio recording, or an alternative means of commenting on the proposed plan, by contacting DOB’s Disability Service Facilitator at accessibilityinfo@buildings.nyc.gov or (212) 393-2544.

You can review the comments made online on the proposed plan by going to nyc.gov/accessibilityplans. Other comments received will also be part of the public record.

You will not receive a response to your comments. However, we will consider all comments we receive by the deadline as we finalize our plan.

Any member of the public alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by DOB may file a grievance with DOB, which should contain:

• the name, address, telephone number and/or email of the grievant; and
• information about the alleged discrimination, such as the location, date, and description of the incident or alleged violation of the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, NY State Human Rights Law, or NYC Human Rights Law.

Grievance is the term for the allegation filed with DOB by a member of the public. Grievant is the term for the person alleging discrimination in the grievance.

The grievance should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the date of the alleged violation to DOB’s Disability Service Facilitator. When submitting a grievance via email, please include Grievance in the subject line.

The grievance may be filed in one of two ways:

1. By submitting the grievance in writing by mail or email using the above address; or
2. Upon request, by an alternative means, such as an in-person interview or an audio recording, describing the incident or alleged violation of the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, NY State Human Rights Law, or NYC Human Rights Law. A request for an alternative means of filing may be granted as an accommodation for a grievant with a disability.

Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the grievance, the Disability Service Facilitator or designee will contact the grievant to discuss the grievance and possible resolutions.

Within fifteen (15) calendar days of this contact with the grievant, the Disability Service Facilitator or designee will provide a response in writing. Grievants may request the response in an additional format accessible to them, such as large print, Braille, or audio recording. This response will address the grievance, describe DOB’s position, and offer options for substantive resolution of the grievance, where applicable.

The grievant may appeal DOB’s decision within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of DOB’s response. The appeal should be mailed to:

NYC Department of Buildings
Attn: James Oddo, Commissioner
280 Broadway
New York, NY 10007

The appeal may be filed in one of two ways:

1. By submitting the appeal in writing and by mail using the above address; or
2. Upon request, by an alternative means, such as an in-person interview or an audio recording, describing the incident or alleged violation of the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, NY State Human Rights Law, or NYC Human Rights Law. A request for an alternative means of filing may be granted as an accommodation for a grievant with a disability.

DOB’s response to the appeal will be provided to the grievant in writing within sixty (60) days following receipt of the appeal. Grievants may request the response in an additional format accessible to them, such as large print, Braille, or audio recording. This response will address the appeal, describe DOB’s decision, and offer options for substantive resolution of the appeal, where applicable.

All written grievances, appeals, and responses in connection with a grievance made to DOB will be retained for at least three (3) years.