The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA) are federal laws that require employers with 15 or more employees to not discriminate against applicants and individuals with disabilities and, when needed, to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees who are qualified for a job, with reasonable accommodations, so that they may perform the essential job duties of the position. Our employment policy related to ADA compliance can be found in our Ignite 360 Employee Handbook. Ignite 360 recognizes that there are other laws that might be more comprehensive or stringent than the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADAAA, including but not limited to California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, California Civil Code § 51 et seq. (these laws are collectively referred to herein for convenience as “ADA”), and Ignite 360 is committed to providing accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities who are engaged in, and with, our organization to contribute at the highest levels.    The below process and procedure pertain to our engagements with consultants, vendor partners, clients and consumer participants – within the scope of our research and insights projects conducted on behalf of our clients. 

Process

When an individual with a disability requests accommodation and can be reasonably accommodated without creating an undue hardship or causing a direct threat to safety, he, she, or they will be given the same consideration for participation in our research as any other participant who is otherwise qualified, based on the specific business criteria and demographic specifications in place for the research.  Anyone who poses a direct threat to health, safety and well-being of themselves or others when the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation will not be allowed to participate. 

Ignite 360 will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so they can perform the essential functions of their role as research participants.  The Field Services Ensemble at Ignite 360 is responsible for implementing this policy, including the resolution of reasonable accommodation, safety/direct threat and undue hardship issues. 

Procedure

Requesting Accommodation

Consultants, vendor partners, clients and consumer research participants may request accommodation. This request should be made either to the Ignite 360 project manager assigned to the project OR this request can be made to the research facility or agency partner working as an agent on behalf of Ignite 360.

In either case, this request, will be shared with Ignite 360 and reviewed to determine the type and extent of the accommodation required and the assessment of the effectiveness of such accommodations for the specific project engagement.  Identification of the type of accommodation needed will be assisted via The Job Accommodation Network which can be contacted for assistance by dialing 1-800-232-9675 (Voice/TTY) or through their website, askjan.org. Ignite 360 has the right to select from among the accomodation alternatives available, if they are effective. Selection and implementation of the effective reasonable accommodation by Ignite 360 will occur as soon as possible.  The Field Services Ensemble will continue to communicate with the consultant, vendor partner, client, or consumer research participant to discuss timelines for obtaining the accommodation. 

Types of Reasonable Accommodation

Accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The Field Services Ensemble will work closely with the consultant, client or consumer participant and any involved vendor or facility partner to ensure reasonable accommodation is provided and effective.  Examples of potential accommodations include:

• Providing research stimulus in a different format – either visually enhanced or via audio.

• Providing a proctor or assistant including sign language interpreter

• Allowing certified service animals within research venues

• Adjusting research venue and/or location including a change from in-person to online or vice versa

• Accepting consumer feedback and input in a different form (e.g., spoken to written, written to spoken, etc.)

• Adding screen reading software, magnifier, additional lighting, CCTV, etc. 

Examples provided above are not meant to be all-inclusive and should not be construed as such. 

Complaint Procedures

Any individual who believes they have been subjected to unequal treatment or discrimination prohibited by the ADA may file a complaint to Ignite 360, LLC, 40 Bronte Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 via our website (contact us @www.ignite-360.com), via email (hello@ignite-360.com) or via phone (415-867-1493). A complaint must be made within 180 days of the alleged occurrene or when the alleged discrimination became known to the complainant.