Accessibility

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is committed to ensuring its operations are accessible to all. DEP does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. The agency extends this protection and mission of inclusion to the public, DEP employees, and candidates for employment. DEP will provide accommodations in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, both as amended, as well as federal regulation 40 C.F.R. § 7.45. DEP regularly monitors itself for compliance and invites members of the public to submit a request if they need additional assistance or would like to notify us of issues to improve accessibility.

Effective Communication

DEP will generally, upon request, provide appropriate and reasonable accommodations leading to effective communication with qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in DEP’s programs, services, and activities.

Modifications to Policies and Procedures

DEP will make all reasonable modifications to policies and procedures to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities, with some exceptions as provided for under the law.

How to Request Accommodation

Individuals may request reasonable accommodations to access DEP services, programs, and activities. Examples of accessibility requests include:

• Printed materials in alternative formats (including large print or braille)
• Sign language interpreters for meetings or events
• Assistive listening devices
• Accommodations for public meetings and hearings

DEP will not charge anyone for the cost of providing auxiliary aids, services, or reasonable modifications of policy.

The DEP Accommodation Request Form can be downloaded here: English (.docx)   |   Español (.docx)

For questions on how to file a complaint, please contact DEP’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator:

DEP Facilities

The accommodation of individuals with disabilities is a routine and integral element of DEP planning. DEP's approach to making its offices accessible includes the following:

• DEP offices must be accessible and usable by persons with disabilities.
• Alterations to existing offices, within the scope or limits of a building, must provide usability by persons with disabilities to the maximum extent feasible.
• Existing offices that have not been altered must not deny access to persons with disabilities.
• Where existing site constraints limit the ability to fully meet the latest ADA standards, the improvements or upgrades must be done to provide access to the maximum extent feasible.

DEP Website and Online Communications

DEP adheres to the Accessibility Policy set by the Office of Administration to ensure that as many people as possible can use internet-based information and services, regardless of disability or functional limitation. Commonwealth agencies are required to produce accessible websites in compliance with the Digital Accessibility Policy, which adheres to the industry-standard Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG). This policy establishes guidance for the development of accessible websites and other information technologies for users requiring assistive technologies, in accordance with Section 508, Subpart B of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as revised in 1998. In instances where complete accessibility is not achievable, information and other assistance will be made available through alternative means.

Please contact us at RA-EPNonDiscrim@pa.gov if you have any accessibility issue with DEP’s webpages. We will try to share with you the information by alternate means or make the needed changes to provide the information in an accessible way.

File a Complaint Related to DEP Accessibility

DEP has established the following procedure to receive Discrimination Complaints, which include complaints that a program, service, or activity of the department is not accessible to persons with disabilities. To submit a grievance please complete the Discrimination Complaint Form. For questions on how to file a complaint, please contact DEP’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator.

Nondiscrimination Protections and Accessibility Requirements Extend to DEP Contractors and Grantees

Executive Order 2016-04 – Equal Employment Opportunity provides that nondiscrimination protection on the basis of disability is required in the awarding process of contracts and grants by DEP and by those contractors and grantees who secure them in their own operations. DEP contractors and grantees are required to adhere to nondiscrimination protections on the basis of disability in both their employment practices and in the provision of services to their own clients and service recipients. These protections additionally extend to subcontractors of contractors of DEP.

Employment

DEP does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all state and federal laws, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act of 1955 and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.

How to Request Accommodations for Current Employees or Candidates for Employment

Current employees can go to Employee Self Service (ESS) and click on the tile titled: “Create Accommodation/Religious Request” or submit a written request to the DEP internal resource account by email at RA-OABEEO@pa.gov.

Candidates for employment can submit the request using the same resource account or this link. The Office of Administration only has authority to process accommodation requests from current employees and candidates for employment.

Feedback or Questions Regarding DEP Accessibility

Please contact us at RA-EPNonDiscrim@pa.gov if you have questions for or feedback for DEP in its work to ensure accessibility to the public. DEP aims to respond to your comments or questions within ten business days. You may contact the Office of Administration to escalate your feedback or questions.

This Accessibility Statement has been formally approved by DEP.