Local resident accuses city of ADA failures, asks for independent ADA coordinator

A local resident, Megan Diamond, told the Ephrata City Council during public comment that she has experienced "traumatizing, discriminatory, and unlawful" treatment by city staff because of her disability and asked the city to appoint an independent, trained Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator.

"Under Title II of the ADA... I have the right to equal access and reasonable accommodations," Diamond said, adding that she first informed the police department of her disability in February 2018 and that her attempts to secure accommodations were met with suspicion. "I am asking the city to appoint a qualified ADA coordinator. Somebody who's trained, somebody neutral, somebody who understands the law and enforces it fairly," she said.

Diamond described a series of interactions she says amounted to procedural failures, including a city ADA coordinator she described as "new to the job, untrained in disability law, and not independent," and asserted that portions of her civil-rights complaints involving police were dismissed without investigation. She referenced court filings and appeals in support of her claims and provided the council with written materials.

Councilors and staff acknowledged receipt of Diamond's materials and said they would take them under consideration. The council did not take immediate action; staff told Diamond there is an established process and suggested training and neutrality as possible remedies to be evaluated.

Why it matters: Diamond framed her comments as a civil-rights complaint under the ADA and cited legal precedent and state ethics rules. Her request — for a trained, independent ADA coordinator and a more rigorous interactive process — relates to how the city handles disability accommodations and policing. The council did not issue an immediate directive at the meeting.