The Riverside Concerts website is designed to offer City of Rochester citizens, businesses, and visitor's easy and efficient access to online resources. We appreciate that many visitors to the Riverside Concerts website are concerned about accessibility to digital content. Currently, Riverside Concerts makes every effort to adhere to 508 requirements as set forth by the W3C Accessibility Initiative.
DESIGNATION OF ADA COORDINATOR
The City of Rochester Music Department has designated the General Manager as ADA Coordinator to facilitate compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as required by Section 35.107 of the U.S. Department of Justice regulations. The General Manager also coordinates compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as mandated by Section 8.53 of the U.S. Civil Rights Act.
DEFINITION OF DISABILITY
RMD uses the ADA’s definition of disability in providing its programs, services and activities. That definition is as follows:
- When referring to children and young adults, a person has a disability if he or she is receiving any educational services by way of an Individualized Educational Plan (I.E.P.) or meets specifications of Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Organizational policy states that RMD uses the Americans with Disabilities Act definition of disability. Therefore, when speaking of people of all ages, a person is considered to have a disability if any of the following apply:
- A person has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity, such as hearing, seeing, walking, breathing or speaking.
- A person has a record of a substantially limiting impairment to a major life activity, such as a person who has recovered from cancer or an individual previously categorized as learning disabled.
- Upon request, any of RMD’s written information will be made available in alternative formats including Braille, large print, audio tape and computer diskette. The department reserves the right to have at least 5 working days prior notification of any such need.
- All concerts, programs, workshops and presentations conducted, sponsored or co-sponsored by RMD shall be held in spaces that are physically accessible to people with mobility disabilities. This physical access pertains to parking, entrance areas, and movement to and through the activity area and to restroom facilities.
- RMD shall endeavor to hold all public concerts in facilities with assistive hearing devices. The department will incur the cost of paying a sign language interpreter should an individual with hearing impairment seek to have a concert, presentation, workshop or program interpreted. RMD will hold 10 seats per performance open for persons with hearing or visual impairment, in a location best-suited so that they may see an ASL interpreter’s signs and facial expressions. Audio description services will be provided should a visually impaired individual seek to have a concert, presentation, workshop or program described. The organization reserves the right to have at least 5 working days prior notification of interpreter or describer need.
- When employing a variable pricing system for tickets (“scaling the house”), RMD will not penalize a person with a disability by requiring them to pay the most expensive ticket price in order to accommodate their needs. The person with a disability will be informed of the ticket scale and be given a choice as to what ticket price they wish to pay. RMD will also extend such ticket price accommodation to one (1) non-disabled companion, if requested.
- The organization will incur the cost of paying a sign language interpreter should an individual with hearing impairment seek to have a meeting with the Music Department Board or staff members interpreted. The department reserves the right to have at least 5 working days prior notification of interpreter need.
- Notification of meetings, concerts, presentations, workshops, and other opportunities offered to RMD constituents shall be posted at least one week prior to the announced activity.
- Any RMD generated materials needed for The Music Department Board or committee meetings will be made available to visually impaired attendees in appropriate formats upon adequate notification. The department reserves the right to have at least 5 working days prior notification.
- Any individual may present comments, complaints or grievances regarding the department’s access to people with disabilities at any time. These comments should be in writing, via audiotape or via e-mail. All comments in this regard will be forwarded to the Music Department Board, and to the City Council if indicated, for consideration.
- When RMD is a participant, collaborator or sponsor of an event, concert, presentation, workshop or meeting, all of the items found in these Access Policy Statements may not be achieved. The department will work diligently to have as many of its policies as possible be implemented and will use these opportunities to educate and advocate for improved access should future collaborations occur.
- If RMD employs someone with a disability, accommodations will be made on an as-needed basis, including technological adaptations such as computer and monitor set-ups and phone signaling systems.
- Each member of the Music Department Board and staff is given a copy of The City of Rochester Music Department’s ADA ACCESS STATEMENT & PLAN upon appointment to their respective positions. The 504/ADA Access Committee will also hold periodic seminars for the Board and administrative staff as required.
