Alaska prohibits discrimination based on disability through its own state laws, primarily the Alaska Human Rights Act (AS 18.80), and also adheres to federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act. These laws ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities in various aspects of life. ### **ALASKA DISABILITIES DISCRIMINATION: LAWS, PROTECTIONS, AND RESOURCES** **I. Areas of Protection Under Alaska Law & Federal Law** Both the Alaska Human Rights Act and federal laws like the ADA prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in several key areas: 1. **Employment:** - **Coverage:** Applies to employers. Under federal law (ADA Title I), employers with 15 or more employees are covered. Under Alaska law (AS 18.80), employers with **one or more** employee are covered. - **Prohibited Actions:** It is illegal to discriminate against qualified job applicants or employees with disabilities in: - Hiring, firing, and promotions - Compensation and benefits - Job training and assignments - Any other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. - **Reasonable Accommodation:** Employers are generally required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would cause an "undue hardship" (significant difficulty or expense) to the business. This includes modifications to job duties, work environment, or policies. - **Definition of Disability:** A person is considered to have a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, have a record of such an impairment, or are regarded as having such an impairment. This includes conditions that may not affect a person all the time, like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or certain mental health conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, PTSD). 2. **Public Accommodations:** - **Coverage:** Businesses and organizations that are generally open to the public (e.g., restaurants, hotels, stores, theaters, doctors' offices, schools, museums). - **Prohibited Actions:** Discrimination in the full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, facilities, advantages, or privileges offered to the public. - **Accessibility:** Public accommodations must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including physical access, effective communication (e.g., sign language interpreters, accessible formats), and modifications to policies and practices (e.g., allowing service animals). 3. **Housing:** - **Coverage:** Protections apply to the sale, rental, financing, or insurance of housing. - **Prohibited Actions:** It is illegal to deny housing, charge different rates, or impose different terms based on disability. - **Reasonable Accommodation & Modification:** Housing providers must: - Provide **reasonable accommodations** to rules, policies, practices, or services (e.g., allowing a service animal despite a "no pet" policy, assigning an accessible parking space). - Allow **reasonable modifications** to the premises (e.g., installing a ramp, grab bars) at the expense of the person with the disability, if necessary for their full use and enjoyment of the dwelling. - **Accessibility Requirements:** Newer multi-family housing (built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991) must comply with specific accessibility features. 4. **State and Local Government Services, Programs, and Activities (ADA Title II):** - **Coverage:** All programs, services, and activities offered by state and local government entities (e.g., public transportation, voting, courts, public meetings, recreational facilities). - **Requirement:** These entities must ensure their services, programs, and activities are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. 5. **Educational Institutions:** - Both state and federal laws (like Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA) prohibit discrimination based on disability in educational programs and activities, requiring schools to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to children with disabilities and to ensure accessibility. **II. How to File a Discrimination Complaint in Alaska** If you believe you have experienced disability discrimination in Alaska, you can file a complaint with one of several agencies: 1. **Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR):** - **Purpose:** Enforces the Alaska Human Rights Act, which provides protections broader in some respects than federal law (e.g., applies to smaller employers). It also acts as a Fair Employment Practices Agency for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), meaning a complaint filed with ASCHR can often be dual-filed with the EEOC. - **Protected Areas:** Employment, public accommodations, housing, financial institutions, educational institutions, and practices of the State and its municipalities. - **Filing Deadline:** Generally **180 days** from the date of the discriminatory act. - **Contact:** - **Anchorage Office:** - 800 A Street, Suite 202, Anchorage, AK 99501-3569 - Phone: (907) 276-7474 - Toll-Free: 1-800-478-4529 - TTY: 711 - Email: [email protected] - **Online Complaint Form:** [https://humanrights.alaska.gov/file-a-complaint/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://humanrights.alaska.gov/file-a-complaint/) - **Fairbanks Office:** - 910 College Road, Suite 108, Fairbanks, AK 99701 - Phone: (907) 451-3112 - **Juneau Office:** - 323 E 4th Street, Suite 237, Juneau, AK 99801 - Phone: (907) 465-3560 2. **U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):** - **Purpose:** Enforces federal anti-discrimination laws, including Title I of the ADA for employment. - **Filing Deadline:** Generally **300 days** from the date of the discriminatory act in Alaska, due to the work-sharing agreement with ASCHR. - **Contact:** - **EEOC Birmingham District Office (covers Alaska):** - 1130 22nd Street South, Suite 2000, Birmingham, AL 35205 - Phone: 1-800-669-4000 (toll-free) - TTY: 1-800-669-6820 - **Online Portal:** [https://publicportal.eeoc.gov/](https://publicportal.eeoc.gov/) - **EEOC Mobile Local Office:** Accessible via the same toll-free numbers. 3. **Anchorage Equal Rights Commission (AERC):** - **Purpose:** Enforces Title 5 of the Anchorage Municipal Code, which prohibits discrimination within the Municipality of Anchorage, often with broader protections than state or federal law. - **Protected Areas:** Employment, housing, public accommodations, educational institutions, financial institutions, and practices of the Municipality. - **Filing Deadline:** **Six months** from the date of discrimination. - **Contact:** - 632 W. 6th Avenue, Suite 110, Anchorage, AK 99501 - Phone: (907) 343-4342 - Email: [email protected] - **Website:** [https://www.muni.org/Departments/AERC/Pages/default.aspx](https://www.muni.org/Departments/AERC/Pages/default.aspx) 4. **U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ):** - **Purpose:** Enforces ADA Title II (state/local government services) and ADA Title III (public accommodations). - **Filing Deadline:** 180 days (though flexibility may be granted). - **Contact:** - **Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division:** - 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20530 - **ADA Information Line:** 1-800-514-0301 (voice) or 1-800-514-0383 (TTY) - **Website:** [https://www.ada.gov/](https://www.ada.gov/) (Information on how to file a complaint). 5. **U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):** - **Purpose:** Enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits housing discrimination based on disability. - **Contact:** - **Anchorage Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity (FHEO):** - Phone: (907) 677-9800 - Toll-Free: 1-800-877-0246 - **Online Complaint Form:** [https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint](https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint) **III. Advocacy and Support Organizations in Alaska** These organizations provide legal aid, advocacy, information, and support to individuals with disabilities: 1. **Disability Law Center of Alaska (DLCA):** - **Purpose:** Alaska's Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system. DLCA is federally mandated to protect the civil rights of Alaskans with disabilities through legal services, advocacy, and education. They can help with issues related to employment, public accommodations, housing, education, and access to services. - **Contact:** - **Anchorage Office:** - 726 E Street, Suite 202, Anchorage, AK 99501 - Phone: (907) 565-1002 - Toll-Free: 1-800-478-1234 - TTY: (907) 565-1009 - **Online Intake Form:** [https://dlcak.org/request-for-assistance/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://dlcak.org/request-for-assistance/) - **Fairbanks Office:** - 100 Cushman Street, Suite 404, Fairbanks, AK 99701 - Phone: (907) 459-1002 - Toll-Free: 1-800-843-1507 - **Website:** [https://dlcak.org/](https://dlcak.org/) 2. **State ADA Coordinator's Office (Alaska Department of Administration):** - **Purpose:** Provides guidance and ensures compliance with the ADA for State of Alaska programs, services, activities, and employment practices. Can handle informal resolution of grievances against the State. - **Contact:** - **State ADA Coordinator (David Newman):** (907) 375-7716 - **Department ADA Coordinator (Kelley Roberson - DOA Employees):** (907) 375-7705 - **TTY/Alaska Relay:** 7-1-1 or 1-800-770-8973 - **Online Complaint Form (for complaints against the State of Alaska):** [https://doa.alaska.gov/ada/complaints.html](https://doa.alaska.gov/ada/complaints.html) - **Website:** [https://doa.alaska.gov/ada/](https://doa.alaska.gov/ada/) 3. **DB101 Alaska (Disability Benefits 101):** - **Purpose:** An online tool offering clear information on health, employment, and financial programs for people with disabilities in Alaska, including sections on the ADA and reasonable accommodations. - **Website:** [https://ak.db101.org/](https://ak.db101.org/) 4. **Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) / Alaska AGELINE:** - **Purpose:** Provides information and assistance to older Alaskans and adults with disabilities, their families, and caregivers on a wide range of topics, including access to services, benefits, and legal rights. - **Phone:** **1-800-AGELINE (1-800-243-5463)** - **Website:** [https://alaskaageline.gov/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://alaskaageline.gov/) 5. **Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC):** - **Purpose:** As a housing provider, AHFC has specific policies regarding fair housing and reasonable accommodation/modification for individuals with disabilities in their programs and facilities. - **Fair Housing & 504/ADA Coordinator:** (907) 338-6100 or 1-800-478-2432 - **Website (Fair Housing Section):** [https://www.ahfc.us/tenants/resources/fair-housing](https://www.ahfc.us/tenants/resources/fair-housing) 6. **Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR):** - **Purpose:** Helps Alaskans with disabilities prepare for, get, and keep jobs. They can assist with job coaching, workplace accommodations, and understanding employment rights. - **Website:** [https://labor.alaska.gov/dvr/](https://labor.alaska.gov/dvr/) (Contact information for local DVR offices throughout the state is available here). 7. **Northwest ADA Center:** - **Purpose:** Provides information, training, and technical assistance on the ADA to individuals and businesses in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. - **Phone:** 1-800-949-4232 (Voice/TTY) - **Email:** [email protected] - **Website:** [https://nwadacenter.org/](https://nwadacenter.org/) If you experience disability discrimination in Alaska, documenting the incidents, including dates, times, and specifics of what occurred, is always helpful when filing a complaint or seeking legal assistance. If you're seeking resources for disabilities discrimination in Alaska, there are several organizations and agencies that can help individuals facing discrimination based on disability status. Below are key resources in Alaska that provide support and assistance: ### **1. Alaska Disability Law Center (ADLC)** - **Purpose**: The ADLC is a nonprofit organization that provides free legal assistance to individuals with disabilities in Alaska. They advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities and help address issues like discrimination, access to services, and more. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 565-1002 (Anchorage) - **Toll-Free**: 1-800-478-1254 (Statewide) - **Website**: [www.adlcalaska.org](https://www.adlcalaska.org) - **Services**: - Provides legal representation and advocacy for individuals facing discrimination based on disability. - Offers information and legal help on disability-related issues, including employment discrimination and access to public services. - Works on cases related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other disability rights laws. --- ### **2. Alaska Human Rights Commission (AHRC)** - **Purpose**: The AHRC is the state agency responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws in Alaska, including protections against disability discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 274-4692 (Anchorage) - **Toll-Free**: 1-800-478-4692 - **Website**: [www.humanrights.alaska.gov](http://humanrights.alaska.gov) - **Services**: - Investigates claims of discrimination, including disability discrimination, in various areas such as employment, housing, and education. - Offers guidance on how to file a complaint about disability discrimination. - Provides resources and referrals to assist with filing complaints. --- ### **3. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - Anchorage Office** - **Purpose**: The EEOC enforces federal laws against discrimination in the workplace, including disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 271-1000 - **Website**: [www.eeoc.gov](https://www.eeoc.gov) - **Services**: - Investigates workplace discrimination claims, including disability-related discrimination. - Provides guidance on filing complaints related to discrimination in employment and other protected activities. - Assists in resolving complaints through mediation or litigation. --- ### **4. Center for Disability Advocacy (CDA)** - **Purpose**: CDA provides advocacy, legal support, and guidance for individuals with disabilities in Alaska. They focus on protecting the rights of people with disabilities, including addressing discrimination. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 747-6851 (Sitka) - **Toll-Free**: 1-800-478-6822 - **Website**: [www.cdahome.org](http://www.cdahome.org) - **Services**: - Offers legal advice and assistance with cases of disability discrimination. - Provides advocacy for access to public services, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. - Works to ensure compliance with ADA and other disability rights laws. --- ### **5. Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)** - **Purpose**: DREDF is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities. While they are based outside Alaska, they provide national advocacy and legal support for disability rights issues. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (510) 644-2555 - **Website**: [www.dredf.org](https://www.dredf.org) - **Services**: - Provides legal information, resources, and advocacy for people with disabilities facing discrimination. - Offers guidance on filing complaints with the EEOC, as well as on navigating other legal channels for disability rights. --- ### **6. Alaska Commission on Disabilities and Special Education** - **Purpose**: This commission is responsible for promoting disability rights and addressing issues affecting individuals with disabilities in Alaska, including issues related to discrimination. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 269-8990 (Anchorage) - **Website**: [www.hss.state.ak.us/occ/](https://www.hss.state.ak.us/occ/) - **Services**: - Offers guidance and advocacy services for individuals with disabilities, particularly those facing discrimination or barriers to access. - Works with government agencies, employers, and service providers to address disability discrimination and promote inclusivity. --- ### **7. National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)** - **Purpose**: NDRN is a nonprofit membership organization that advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities across the United States, including Alaska. They provide resources and support for individuals facing disability discrimination. - **Contact**: - **Website**: [www.ndrn.org](https://www.ndrn.org) - **Services**: - Offers resources on disability rights, including addressing discrimination and advocacy support. - Provides referrals to legal aid organizations and disability advocacy groups in Alaska. --- ### **8. Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)** - **Purpose**: The DOJ's Disability Rights Section enforces federal laws prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). - **Contact**: - **Phone**: 1-800-514-0301 (Voice) - **TDD**: 1-800-514-0383 (TDD) - **Website**: [www.ada.gov](https://www.ada.gov) - **Services**: - Enforces the ADA and investigates complaints of disability discrimination. - Offers guidance on filing complaints under the ADA, including in the areas of employment, public accommodations, transportation, and government services. --- ### **9. Access Alaska** - **Purpose**: Access Alaska is a community-based center for independent living that provides services for people with disabilities. They focus on helping individuals live independently and fight against discrimination. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 565-1000 - **Website**: [www.accessalaska.org](https://www.accessalaska.org) - **Services**: - Provides advocacy and services to individuals with disabilities, including help with disability discrimination cases. - Offers information on housing, employment, and public services for individuals with disabilities. --- ### **10. The Arc of Anchorage** - **Purpose**: The Arc of Anchorage provides advocacy, services, and support to individuals with developmental disabilities, including addressing discrimination and access to resources. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 561-5335 - **Website**: [www.thearc.org](https://www.thearc.org) - **Services**: - Provides legal advocacy and support for individuals with developmental disabilities. - Works on issues related to discrimination, including legal support for addressing unequal treatment or barriers to services. --- ### **How to File a Disability Discrimination Complaint in Alaska:** 1. **Identify the Type of Discrimination**: Determine if the discrimination is related to employment, housing, public accommodations, or other areas. 2. **Contact the Appropriate Agency**: Depending on the type of discrimination, you may contact the Alaska Human Rights Commission, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), or other relevant agencies. 3. **Gather Evidence**: Collect any evidence that supports your claim, such as emails, witness statements, or documentation of discriminatory actions. 4. **File a Formal Complaint**: Submit your complaint to the relevant agency. Be sure to follow their guidelines and include all necessary details. 5. **Seek Legal Advice**: If you are unsure of the process, seek legal advice from organizations like the Alaska Disability Law Center or the U.S. Department of Justice. These resources should help individuals in Alaska who are facing discrimination based on disability. Let me know if you need further assistance or clarification!