Disability Service Facilitator

The Disability Service Facilitator shall coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal, state and local laws and regulations concerning accessibility for persons with disabilities. These individuals are liaisons to New Yorkers with disabilities, connecting people with disabilities to city government.

For further information or requests regarding accessibility, please contact the FDNY's Disability Service Facilitator:

Valerie A. Loubriel, Esq.
Fire Department – City of New York
9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201-3857
Telephone: (718) 999-1446
Fax: (718) 999-1289
eeora@fdny.nyc.gov
TTY: (212) 504-4115 NYC 311
New York Relay Service: 711

Disability Discrimination Grievance Procedure

Any member of the public alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the FDNY may file a grievance with the FDNY, 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 the FDNY by a member of the public.

“Grievant” is the term for the person alleging discrimination in the grievance.

When and How to File a 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:

Valeire Loubriel, Disability Service Facilitator
9 Metrotech Center, 4E-1
Brooklyn, NY 11201
EEORA@fdny.nyc.gov (Please include “Grievance” in subject line.)

The grievance may be filed in one of two ways:

By submitting the grievance in writing by mail or email using the above address; or
Upon request, by an alternative means and delivery, 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.

Timeline Following Filing of Grievance

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 the agency’s position, and offer options for substantive resolution of the grievance, where applicable.

When and How to File an Appeal

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

Lillian Bonsignore, Fire Commissioner
NYC Fire Department
9 Metrotech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11201

The appeal may be filed in one of two ways:

By submitting the appeal in writing and by mail using the above address; or
Upon request, by an alternative means and delivery, 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.

Timeline Following Filing of Appeal

FDNY’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 the agency’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 the FDNY will be retained for at least three (3) years.

Note: Upon request to the Disability Service Facilitator, this page can be made available in an alternative format.