Accessibility Policy

OCME Policies Prohibiting Discrimination against People with Disabilities in Access to Services

It is the policy of OCME to comply with all applicable laws including, but not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act, the New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law. OCME does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the operation of its programs, services and activities and strives to be welcoming to and inclusive of people with disabilities.

Employment-related complaints for employees and applicants for employment seeking a reasonable accommodation are covered under the City’s EEO Policy.

Any member of the public who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a reasonable modification of policies or procedures in order to participate in our programs, services or activities (involving matters other than employment) is invited to direct their needs and preferences to OCME’s Disability Service Facilitator by email, phone or mail:

OCME Disability Service Facilitator:

Robert D. Van Pelt

New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner
421 East 26th Street 10th Floor, Room 1021
New York, New York 10016

Office:  (212) 323-1766
Email: Rvanpelt@ocme.nyc.gov

Requests should be made as soon as possible but no later than three (3) business days before the scheduled program, service or activity. Questions, concerns, or requests for additional information may be directed to the OCME’s Disability Service Faciliator.

If you believe that you have been denied an auxiliary aid or service or a reasonable modification of policies or procedures that you need in order to participate in programs, services or activities provided by OCME, please see our Grievance Procedure, below. 

Grievance Procedure

This grievance procedure may be used by any member of the public who wishes to file a grievance alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by OCME. Employment-related complaints for employees and applicants for employment seeking a reasonable accommodation are covered under the City’s EEO Policy:

When and How to File a Grievance

The Grievance should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as:

• the name, address, telephone number and/or email of the grievant; and,
• the location, date, and description of the complaint or alleged violation of the ADA, or other anti-discrimination law.

Examples of discrimination include but are not limited to refusal to provide an American Sign Language interpreter, large print or Braille documents and real time captioning also known as computer-assisted real-time transcription (CART) when requested within a reasonable timeframe or failing to provide adequate information regarding accessibility for people with disabilities at public events.

Alternative means of filing a grievance, such as in-person interviews or an audio recording of the grievance, may be available, as needed, to persons with disabilities upon request.

The grievance should be submitted as soon as possible but no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the alleged date of the violation to:

OCME Disability Service Facilitator

Robert D. Van Pelt

New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner
421 East 26th Street 10th Floor, Room 1021
New York, New York 10016

Office:  (212) 323-1766
Email: Rvanpelt@ocme.nyc.gov

(Please include “Grievance” in subject line.)

Timeline Following Filing of Grievance

Within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of the grievance, the Disability Service Facilitator will contact the grievant to discuss the grievance and possible resolutions.

Within fifteen (15) calendar days of this contact with the Grievant, the Disability Service Facilitator will respond in writing or, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the Grievant, large print, Braille, or audio recording. This response will explain OCME’s position, and offer options for substantive resolution of the grievance, where applicable.

When and How to File an Appeal

The grievant or the grievant’s designee, may appeal the agency’s decision within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the agency’s response. 

The appeal should be mailed to:

Dr. Jason Graham
Chief Medical Examiner

421 East 26th Street 13th Floor
New York, New York 10016

The appeal should be submitted in writing. Alternative means of filing an appeal, such as an in-person interview or an audio recording of the grievance, may be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

OCME’s response to the appeal will be provided to the grievant within sixty (60) days following receipt of the request for the appeal. All responses by OCME will be in writing or, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the grievant. All written grievances, appeals, and responses received in connection with a grievance made to OCME, will be retained for at least three (3) years.

This document is available in alternative formats, including large print, audio recording, and Braille, from the disability service facilitator upon request.

Five-Year Accessibility Plan

Local Law 12 of 2023, codified as NYC Administrative Code § 23-1004, requires every agency to develop and implement a plan that includes the steps it is currently taking and will be taking over the next 5 years to ensure that the agency’s workplace, services, programs, and activities are accessible to and accommodating and inclusive of persons with disabilities.

OCME’s Five-Year Accessibility Plan outlines our strategy to ensure that our workplace, services, programs, and activities are accessible to and accommodating and inclusive of persons with disabilities.

You may request a copy of OCME’s Five-Year Accessibility Plan in an alternative format, such as Braille or an audio recording, by contacting OCME’s disability service facilitator at Rvanpelt@ocme.nyc.gov or (212) 323-1766.