Eligibility Forms
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Verification
Hearing Disability Verification
Learning Disability Documentation
Medical Disability Verification
Mobility Disability Verification
Psychiatric Disability Verification
Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury
Vision Disability Verification
Misc. Forms
Are you planning a campus-wide event? Is it open to the public? Is your event accessible to the individuals in the campus community and the community at large? To help ensure that your event is accessible to all, please use the following guidelines when planning your next event.
Please make sure your promotional materials, handouts, brochures, invitations, etc. can be made available in alternative formats for people with disabilities. (Materials in Microsoft word can be made accessible by the Office of Accessibility.) Be sure to inform the campus and/or community of this availability. Below is a sample statement:
Please note that such a statement is a requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for all external communications to the public.
Please make sure that if food is being served that a statement regarding dietary restrictions is made optional on the registration form.
Please make sure the campus community and public are aware that accommodations can be made for people with disabilities by including such a statement on promotional brochures, flyers, and other materials.
The following is a sample of the type of statement to be included:
Please make sure the facility you are planning to use for the event is barrier-free. This is especially important when selecting an off-campus site for the event. Make sure there is appropriate space for wheelchair seating. In addition, please make sure appropriate seating is arranged for individuals who need to see interpreters and a seat in the front is made available for the interpreter. In addition, please check to see that restrooms, entrances, parking, and pathways of travel are accessible. If there are steps - is there elevator access? If there is elevator access - is signage for its location easily identified? Does the facility have Braille labeling?
Make sure you arrange for appropriate accommodations, such as interpreters, in advance. Interpreters can be requested through the Office of Accessibility and should be requested at least 10 days in advance.
Make sure you have designated a person to be present at the event to handle any last minute accessibility issues and questions.
Analyze the Event Environment
Questions to consider when evaluating your event/activity for accessibility:
While this analysis includes the physical environment, it should also go beyond architecture. Attention must also be paid to the events message. Signage and statements of nondiscrimination, and posters and artwork that include people with disabilities should make it clear that students with disabilities are welcome. Have you reviewed your written and audio-visual materials to see how, or if, people with disabilities are portrayed?
It is particularly important under the ADA to address the attitudinal issues inherent in interacting with persons with disabilities. While your “front-line” staff may have little authority to make policy changes or accommodations, they are likely to be dealing directly with persons with disabilities. They, perhaps more than anyone else in your office, may benefit from sensitivity training. They will also need to know both the requirements and the spirit of the ADA, as well as your efforts to comply with the law. With the frequent turnover rate of “front-line” staff, it can be helpful to provide ongoing training in ADA matters for all personnel.
Event personnel can be instructed on how to assist students with disabilities, and when the necessary assistance is beyond their abilities, to politely refer the individual to an assigned representative who can better respond to the student’s special needs.
Personnel should be aware that some people with disabilities (such as people with speech impairments) may require additional time to conduct their business even if no additional assistance or auxiliary aids are necessary.
Please note that not all persons with disabilities will require assistance. Personnel should be aware that specialized services should not be forced on an individual simply because of a disability. You can train personnel about how to ask if someone needs special assistance and how to provide it or find someone who can.
Individuals who are blind or visually impaired may not be able to tell when a staff person is available. To overcome this problem, personnel could be instructed to politely speak out (for example, by saying, “May I help you?”) if it appears that the person waiting cannot see.
You may want to instruct personnel to help an individual to complete any necessary forms.
Qualified interpreters or other effective methods of making orally-delivered materials available to individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing must be provided under the ADA. “Other effective methods” could include telecommunications devices for the deaf (TTYs). The extent to which (and often the circumstances under which) colleges and universities must provide auxiliary aids depends on the nature and type of services offered. Complex transactions involving a lot of direct communication would likely require interpreter services or speech to text services.
Written communication (note writing) may be an effective method of communication with deaf individuals in some instances. However, they may not be entirely effective where problems with interaction arise and the questioning is complex. When this occurs, perhaps a designated staff member could seek the services of an interpreter. This may cause a delay in the process as several days' notice is often needed to fulfill a request for an interpreter. The Office of Accessibility can assist you with arranging for your interpreter needs.
The Office of Accessibility is available to assist you in the initial planning of your event. The Office of Accessibility can arrange for:
If you have questions or concerns when planning your next event please contact the Office of Accessibility!
Bancroft Campus
Mail Stop #342
1820 Rocket Hall
Voice: 419.530.4981
TTY/VP: 419.530.2612
Fax: 419.530.6137http://www.utoledo.edu/utlc/accessibility