The Americans with Disabilities Act Policy

The AYRBL is dedicated to youth basketball development and is
committed to providing programs and services to children in the
community that are inclusive of individuals with disabilities. In addition,
AYRBL is committed to providing staff and volunteers with clear and
consistent guidelines for compliance with federal, state, and local
laws.

This policy ensures that AYRBL complies with the requirements of
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) as well as
M.G.L. Ch. 272 Sec. 98.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all AYRBL programs, services, and facilities. 
DEFINITIONS

1. Disability – The ADA protects three categories of individuals
with disabilities: 1) those with a physical or mental impairment
that substantially limits one or more major life activities; 2)
those with a record of such an impairment; or 3) those who are
regarded as having such an impairment, whether or not they
have the impairment.

2. Reasonable Accommodation/Modification –
Accommodations to policies, practices or procedures, also
referred to as modifications, are wide-ranging and reasonably
necessary to avoid discrimination against individuals with
disabilities. The purpose of accommodations is to minimize the
barriers to the individual with a disability limiting their ability to
participate in programs and services with AYRBL. The duty to
provide reasonable accommodation or modification is limited
to those accommodations that do not fundamentally alter the
nature of the services or facilities it provides and do not
impose an undue burden on AYRBL

3. Undue Burden – means an accommodating action that places
significant difficulty or expense on AYRBL.

4. Readily Achievable – means a modification that is easily
accomplishable and able to be carried out without much
difficulty or expense.

5. Direct Threat – is defined as a significant risk of substantial
harm to the health or safety of self or others, which cannot be
eliminated or reduced by a reasonable accommodation/modification.

6. ADA Coordinator – For the purposes of this policy this person
shall be the point of contact for a member or participant who
wishes to request an accommodation. You may reach the
current ADA Coordinator at: [email protected]

POLICY

AYRBL is committed to a policy ensuring that it will not discriminate
against any individual on the basis of disability. AYRBL will make
reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, or procedures
when such accommodations are necessary to afford its services and
facilities to individuals with disabilities, unless the accommodations
would fundamentally alter the nature of its services or impose an
undue hardship. AYRBL will not exclude any individual with a disability
from the full and equal enjoyment of its services and facilities, unless
the individual poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that
cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies, practices, or
procedures.
RESPONSIBILITY

a.  The AYRBL Board is responsible for the oversight of this
policy.
b.  The ADA Coordinator is responsible for receiving and
reviewing requests for accommodations.

PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERATION OF ACCOMMODATION
REQUESTS

I.  GENERAL GUIDELINES

a. It is the responsibility of the parent, guardian, legal caregiver or
participant, to seek available assistance to make his/her needs
known to the AYRBL ADA Coordinator and to give adequate time
for the AYRBL to make reasonable accommodations/modifications. If a request is made to a coach,
that coach will promptly contact the ADA Coordinator.

b. It is the responsibility of the ADA Coordinator to receive and
respond to requests for accommodation and to obtain information
regarding the person’s needs and to arrange to provide the
support that is requested in a reasonable length of time.

 II.  REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION/MODIFICATION

a.  Should any coach or Board Member be notified of a request
for reasonable accommodation for a potential or a new or existing
participant, please follow the following steps: 
ii.    In the event the AYRBL ADA Coordinator is unavailable
contact a Board Member. 

b.    Once a person/parent contacts the ADA Coordinator, every
attempt will be made to schedule a meeting to discuss any
requests for modifications/reasonable accommodation within
seven business days. At that time, the participant and/or
participant parent will be asked to bring their request for
modification, as well as information regarding any other available
potential resources/aids that may better ensure the individual’s
successful participation in the activity/program.

c.    The AYRBL will review the circumstances on a case-by-case
basis. Such review will be comprised of some, if not all, of the
following steps, unless such process would not meaningfully
contribute to a final decision:
i.    The ADA Coordinator or his/her designee will meet with
the individual and caregiver.
ii.    The ADA Coordinator or his/her designee may, if the
Coordinator deems it necessary, observe the individual in the
program, setting, and speak with the coach(es).
iii.    The ADA Coordinator or his/her designee will assess the
league’s ability to handle the various manifestations of the
individual’s needs, and consider whether additional training,
the cost of which is not unreasonable, would be appropriate /
helpful.
iv.    The ADA Coordinator or his/her designee may, if
necessary, observe the individual’s adaptation to the other
participants.
v.    The ADA Coordinator or his/her designee will discuss the
individual’s needs with the AYRBL representatives and
coaches relevant experience and responsibilities.
vi.    A discussion of possible, necessary accommodations
will be undertaken and those accommodations that are
reasonable and do not fundamentally alter the nature of the
program will be implemented.
vii.    If the individual’s attendance cannot be accommodated
because the needed accommodations are unreasonable or
alter the nature of the service, the League will discuss
alternatives with the participant/caregiver. If ultimately no
reasonable or feasible accommodation is identified the
Coordinator will inform the participant/caregiver.

c.    Once the meeting has been concluded, an action plan will be
developed or outlined to establish what, if any modification is
available for the individual. When an accommodation is granted, it
will be implemented with support from the Coordinator as needed.

d.    Every effort will be made to notify the caregivers of the child
the status of the request within a period of ten (10) working days
from the date of the initial meeting with the ADA Coordinator.

APPEALS AND GRIEVANCES

Individuals have the right to appeal decisions made regarding the
decisions of the ADA Coordinator. Appeals are submitted to the
AYRBL Board.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Office of the Attorney General
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-attorney-general-maura-healey
MCAD

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-against-