Accessibility Resources

The City is enhancing language access for all with Wordly, a powerful app that makes City Council meetings more accessible. Language access is key to fostering an inclusive community, ensuring all residents—regardless of their preferred language—can fully engage with local government. Now attendees can choose from real-time text translation and audio interpretation, allowing them to read along, listen, or do both. Join us at our next meeting, try it out, and help spread the word-ly!

How to Use Wordly in Meetings:

• Join a meeting in the City Council Agenda Packet.
• Select your language to read the live translated text.
• Enable the speaker icon on the lower right for audio interpretation.

For assistance call City TV at (805) 564-5311

Information about the City's Access Advisory Committee, and how to subscribe to be notified about Agendas, Minutes, Schedules, and Reports electronically.

Accessible Parking Map: On-Street and City Parking Lots
With an accessible parking placard or plate you can park in spaces marked with the accessibility symbol or at blue curbs indicating accessible parking.

Accessible Parking for Oversized Vehicles
Persons with disabilities can get Oversized Vehicle Disability Parking Permits, which allow them to park their oversized vehicle adjacent to locations where they receive services (doctor offices, grocery stores, churches, work, home, etc.).  To qualify, a person must:
- Have a valid disabled placard or license plate.
- Have an oversized vehicle that is necessary to accommodate their disability.

Accessible Parking Guide 
Click on the title above for a printable guide to accessible parking in Santa Barbara.

Accessible Parking in the Downtown Area
Downtown Parking has accessible parking spaces in each lot and garage. For more information, and a list can be found by clicking on the title above. 

Accessible Parking in Residential Areas
Established to accommodate the parking needs of a disabled resident when an accessible off-street space is not available or feasible. For questions, please call (805) 564-5656, Option 3, or email OnStreetParking@SantaBarbaraCA.gov.      

Please navigate or click on the Button below for a listing of Accessible Pedestrian Signals, and also a map of Accessible Pedestrian Signals in the City of Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara offers something for everyone—and this is just as true for those people traveling in a wheelchair. From the Santa Barbara Zoo, a perennial family favorite, to museums, music venues, and our stunning beaches, there are many ways to navigate and enjoy Santa Barbara in a wheelchair. 

The Ultimate Guide To Navigating Santa Barbara In A Wheelchair 

If you have an accessibility question or would like to request removal of a physical barrier within the City's right-of-way, please complete the form below to contact the City’s accessibility compliance staff. Complete as much information as possible including your contact information so that City staff can follow up.

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities are able to take part in, and benefit from, the whole range of public programs, services, and activities offered by the City. The City continues to modify its facilities, programs, policies, or practices, as necessary, to ensure such access is provided.

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that public entities adopt and publish grievance procedures to assure the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints. The purpose of this ADA grievance procedure is to resolve as promptly as possible any problems, complaints, or conflicts related to the City’s ADA compliance without the need for the complainant to resort to other remedies available under the law.

Please note that the City of Santa Barbara ADA Coordinator accepts and investigates grievances related to property, programs, and services of the government of the City of Santa Barbara. If you wish to file a disability discrimination complaint against any other public or private entity, visit United States Department of Justice ADA website.

Grievance Policy & Form for Complaint of Access Violation or Discrimination on the Basis of Disability - PDF

The Adapted Recreation Program gives people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy leisure activities in a safe and supportive environment that fosters an enriching experience for all who participate. Our goal is for everyone to have fun, learn new skills, get fit and socialize with friends. Our team can provide recommendations for the most positive and beneficial programs based on your interests. Contact the Inclusion Coordinator for more information at (805) 564-5421. 

For more information, click here.

To report building and zoning code violations on private property, please use the button below to go to the Building and Safety Department's Code Violations page.

If you need aids, services, or staff assistance in order to gain access to, comment at, or participate in a City meeting, program, service, or activity, please contact the ADA liaison for the department. If possible, notification at least 48 hours in advance of the need for assistance will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements in most cases.

Airport
Andrew Bermond, Airport Facilities Manager
(805) 692-6057
abermond@santabarbaraca.gov

City Attorney's Office
Leanna Pencek, Legal Office Supervisor
(805) 564-5466
lpencek@santabarbaraca.gov

City Council/Administrator
Nicole Grisanti, Office Manager
(805) 564-5301
ngrisanti@santabarbaraca.gov

Community Development Department
Christina (Tina) Dye, Chief Building Official
(805) 564-5553
cdye@santabarbaraca.gov

Finance Department
Jennifer Nichoson, Administrative Assistant
(805) 564-5334
jnichoson@santabarbaraca.gov

Fire Department
Aaron Lynn, Fire Inspector II 
(805) 564-5724
alynn@santabarbaraca.gov

Human Resources Department
Karen Dorado, Human Resources Analyst II
(805) 897-2544 
clanning@santabarbaraca.gov

Information Technology Department
Scott Nelson, Webmaster
(805) 897-2510
snelson@santabarbaraca.gov

Library
Kristina Hernandez, Library Services Manager
(805) 564-5601
khernandez@santabarbaraca.gov

Parks & Recreation Department
Jazmin LeBlanc, Assistant Parks Recreation Director
(805) 564-5513
jleblanc@santabarbaraca.gov

Police Department
Antonio Montojo, Lieutenant
(805) 897-2376
amontojo@sbpd.com

Public Works Department
Brian D'Amour, P.E., Public Works Director
(805) 564-5378
ADA@santabarbaraca.gov

Special Event Coordinator
Sarah Knowles, Senior Recreation Supervisor
Parks & Recreation
(805) 897-1591
sknowles@santabarbaraca.gov

Sustainability & Resilience
Kristian Hoffland, Administrative Analyst II
(805) 991-2476
khoffland@santabarbaraca.gov

Water Resources Department
Bradley Rahrer, Principal Project Manager
(805) 564-5571
brahrer@santabarbaraca.gov

Waterfront Department
Brian Adair, Waterfront Facilities Manager
(805) 564-5527
btadair@santabarbaraca.gov

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the City of Santa Barbara will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Employment
The City of Santa Barbara does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.

Effective Communication
The City of Santa Barbara will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in City of Santa Barbara’s programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.

Modifications to Policies and Procedures
The City of Santa Barbara will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in City of Santa Barbara offices, even where pets are generally prohibited.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of City of Santa Barbara, should contact the City ADA Coordinator as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.

The ADA does not require the City of Santa Barbara to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

City of Santa Barbara will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.

Contact
Direct all complaints that a program, service, or activity of the City of Santa Barbara is not accessible to persons with disabilities, as well as any requests for modifications, to:

Brian D'Amour, P.E.
Public Works Director
Public Works Department
(805) 564-5378
ADA@SantaBarbaraCA.gov

Although the City does not enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), portions of the ADA apply to many other public agencies, non-profits, and private companies in our community, including those that provide public accommodation such as:

• places of lodging
• establishments serving food and drink
• places of exhibition or entertainment
• places of public gathering
• sales or rental establishments
• service establishments
• stations used for specified public transportation
• places of public display or collection
• places of recreation
• places of education
• social service center establishments
• places of exercise or recreation

The links and resources below are provided as a courtesy for these agencies and businesses. The City does not make any express or implied endorsement of these resources or the content of their websites.

Americans With Disabilities Act - Federal Government Resources Page
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination. From voting to parking, the ADA is a law that protects people with disabilities in many areas of public life. For more information, visit ADA.Gov.

ADA Business Brief: Service Animals
Explains the right for service animals to enter all places of business open to the public, including restaurants, hotels, taxis and shuttles, grocery and department stores, hospitals and medical offices, theaters, health clubs, parks, and zoos.

ADA Guide for Small Businesses
Created by the U.S. Department of Justice to assist small businesses to understand and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

California Civil Rights Department
The mission of the CRD is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, businesses, and state-funded programs.

California Commission on Disability Access
As part of the Interagency Support Division, it promotes disability access through dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders, including the disability and business communities and all levels of government.

Pacific ADA Center
A Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) branch. Its purpose is to build a partnership between the disability and business communities and to promote full and unrestricted participation in society for persons with disabilities through education and technical assistance.

Social Security Disability Benefits
A complete guide to Social Security Disability Benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

State of California Disability Access Information
Provides information and links on the major laws, regulations and areas of interest regarding disability rights and access for Californians with disabilities and other interested persons. Includes references to laws, resources for services, and referrals to organizations to assist with access concerns.

The California Relay Service (CRS)
State program that provides specially-trained operators to relay telephone conversations back and forth between people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-disabled and those they wish to communicate with by telephone. The operators translate between voice and whatever communication device the end user may be using. CRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist with calls free of charge.

The Division of the State Architect
City and county offices collect a fee from applicants for local business licenses, report revenue to the Division of the State Architect (DSA), and submit a portion of the fee to DSA.

Access Central Coast
Access Central Coast is a public-benefit, nonprofit organization that promotes the Independent Living (IL) philosophy and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities. Most consumers come to ACC when they encounter physical or societal barriers to independent living. ACC has five offices serving the vast tri-counties region, covering San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.

The Job Accommodation Network
Sponsored by the U.S. Department Labor, the network provides free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by providing individualized work site accommodations solutions, providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and educating callers about self-employment options.

The Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Available for download from the California State Attorney General's website.

Tri-Counties Regional Center
Tri-Counties Regional Center is one of twenty-one non-profit regional centers in California providing lifelong services and supports for people with developmental disabilities residing in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara

U.S. Access Board
The Access Board is an independent federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards.  Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Access Board is now a leading source of information on accessible design.  

U.S. Department of Justice - ADA Home Page
Provides regulations, technical assistance, and information about filing a complaint.

Festivals, charity walks and runs, and other public events are part of what makes Santa Barbara a vibrant, fun, connected community. On this page, you'll find everything you need to get started with planning and permitting your special event.

For more information on the Special Events Permitting Process, click here. 

2006-2007 Transition Plan Update Report & Self Evaluation Update

The City hired Gilda Puente-Peters, Architects (GPPA), an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Consulting Specialist, for the amount of $259,044, to update the City’s 1991/1992 ADA Transition Plan. The City had developed this original Transition Plan in compliance with the 1990 ADA. Even though the City had consistently worked to remove physical (architectural) barriers for people with disabilities, and promote alternate programs to create access where barriers could not be removed, the City believed it important to take the lead in preparing a report updating the Transition Plan Update Report.

In parallel to completing the Transition Plan Update Report, staff has worked to develop new resources, which included updates to the Accessibility Website, refining our internal ADA Compliance structure, revising our ADA Notice and Grievance process, and providing an Access Advisory Committee annual update to Council.

Please click on the button below to find these reference documents.