§ 4-5 Effective communication policy.
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 1, § 4-5 (2026)
§ 4-5 Effective communication policy.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
An agency shall, upon request, provide auxiliary aids and services to a qualified individual with a disability so the individual may participate equally in a program, service, or activity.
(b)Communication aids and services.
To comply with subsection (a) of this section, an agency shall provide, based on the needs of an individual, an appropriate aid or service to make information and communications accessible to an individual who has a speech, hearing, or vision impairment, including:
(1)
a qualified sign language interpreter; and
(2)
documents in braille.
(c)Qualified sign language interpreter.
If an agency provides a sign language interpreter, the interpreter shall meet the requirements of Title 9, Subtitle 24, Part III of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
(d)Applicability to the City Council.
(1)In general.
Each regular meeting of the City Council shall include:
(i)
a qualified sign language interpreter; and
(ii)
if the meeting is being broadcast, open captions that display spoken words, sound effects, and other meaningful audio information as visible text that appears directly on a screen or display and cannot be turned off.
(2)Other meetings.
(i)Request process.
The City Council shall provide an accessible method on its website by which an individual may request American Sign Language interpretation for a special meeting, committee hearing, or other hearing of the City Council.
(ii)Fulfillment of request.
The City Council shall make reasonable efforts to provide American Sign Language interpretation for any meeting identified in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (2) when a request is received within 10 business days in advance of a meeting.
(iii)Late requests.
The City Council shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate a request received after the stated deadline.
(iv)Notice.
The City Council shall provide public notice of:
(A)
the deadline by which an individual shall submit a request for interpretation at a meeting identified in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (2); and
(B)
the availability of American Sign Language interpretation and the process for requesting such service.
(v)Compliance.
The City Council shall implement this paragraph (2) in a manner consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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