Disability Support Services

Transcription

1 Disability Support Services Service and Support Animals Last Revised: August 11, 2015 Approved by: Adrian College Administration Refer Questions To: Assistant Director of Academic Services and Disabilities Specialist, Academic Services Scope This policy applies to students, employees and visitors in all offices and divisions of Adrian College. Adrian College has established the following policy regarding Service Animals and Support Animals, to assist individuals with disabilities. Being mindful of health and safety concerns of the campus community, Adrian College generally limits the presence of privately owned animals on campus. However, the College will reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities who require the assistance of Service or Support Animals, as appropriate. The Assistant Director of Academic Services (ADAS) is responsible for implementing this policy and for guiding students with disabilities in documenting their specific request for a necessary accommodation. Each request will be evaluated on a case by case basis, considering the needs of the individual and the concerns of the College community. The successful implementation of this policy requires the cooperation of all students, faculty, staff and visitors of the Adrian community. Adrian College reserves the right to amend this policy, as circumstances require. Definitions Disability: A documented physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Owner: A student or employee with a disability who uses a Service Animal or Support Animal to perform disability-related work or tasks. Pet: A domestic animal kept for personal enjoyment or companionship and not trained to perform any disability-related function Reasonable Accommodation: A modification or adjustment to a class, program or job requirements that would allow a qualified individual with a disability to participate in the class or program or to perform the essential functions of a position, without fundamentally altering academic, conduct or performance requirements. Service Animal: An individually trained animal, usually a dog, to do work or perform specific tasks for the benefit of an individual with a qualifying disability, as defined by the ADA, including physical, sensory, psychiatric or other mental disability. Support Animal: An animal that provides emotional support, comfort, or therapy that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person s disability. Such animals may also provide assistance, or perform tasks for the benefits of a person with a disability. A Support Animal need not be individually trained or certified to perform any disability-related task.

2 Service Animals Students Students who have a disability that requires the assistance of a Service Animal are permitted to bring such animals to campus. Service Animals are permitted in all areas of campus where students are generally permitted to go, subject to the provisions of the Restricted Areas section as contained in this policy. A Service Animal should be kept on a harness, leash or other tether at all times, unless the Owner is unable to use such a tether due to a disability or the use of a tether would interfere with the animal s ability to safely and effectively perform its duties. A Service Animal should wear a leash, harness, vest, or other marker that identifies it as a Service Animal at all times when on campus. The Owner should contact the ADAS as soon as he/she is aware of plans to bring a Service Animal to campus. When it is not obvious what service the animal provides, the Owner will be asked whether the Animal is required because of a disability and what task the animal is trained to perform. The Owner need not present proof or documentation of the nature of his/her disability or the training or certification of the Service Animal. Employees Employees may be permitted to bring Service Animals to work on campus as a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability. Employees who wish to utilize a Service Animal as a reasonable accommodation in a College office or other areas of campus buildings not open to the general public must consult with the ADAS and Human Resources. Such employees will be asked to provide reasonable documentation, to the ADAS and Human Resources, that the animal is needed as an accommodation, including why the animal is needed and what service it will provide for the employee, that the animal is trained to perform that function, and that the animal will not disrupt the workplace. Support Animals Students are permitted to keep Support Animals in on-campus housing on a case-by case basis as a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability. Support Animals may not travel throughout campus property with their Owners, and must be contained within the Owner s designated residence area at all times. When being transported outside the residence area, the Support Animal must be placed in an animal carrier or controlled by leash or harness. While outside the residence, the Owner shall carry proof that the animal is an ADAS-approved Support Animal. Support Animals are not permitted in other areas of campus.

3 In order to bring a Support Animal to campus, the Owner must contact ADAS as early as possible to permit time to gather and review all necessary documentation. The Owner will be asked to provide documentation of his/her disability and medical documentation of the need for the Support Animal. The Support Animal Request Form must be completed prior to support animal being considered. Employees may not bring Support Animals to work. Pets Pets are not permitted in College housing and are not permitted in any College-controlled buildings. While on College property, pets must be attended and restrained at all times. Any animal, other than a Service Animal, that is brought to campus without prior approval from ADAS will be considered a pet. The Owner will be given 24 hours to remove the pet from the premises. If the pet is not removed, a judicial charge of $75 dollar per day will be assessed. Restricted Areas The College may prohibit the use of Service Animals in certain locations due to health and safety restrictions, such as areas in which the animal may be in danger, or where the animal s presence may compromise the integrity of research. Restricted areas may include, but are not limited to, food preparation areas, custodial closets, boiler rooms, laboratories, areas requiring protective clothing, wood and metal shops, areas with heavy machinery, and other areas as required by state or local law. Limited exceptions to these restrictions may be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with ADAS and the person/department responsible for the restricted area. All areas except for the Owner s designated living area are restricted to Support Animals without prior approval from ADAS. Conflicting Health Conditions Housing personnel, along with the ADAS, will notify any roommates of the Owner, and will make a reasonable effort to notify the residents of neighboring units to where the Service or Support Animal will be located. Students with a medical condition that may be affected by animals (ex. asthma, severe allergies) should contact ADAS and Housing with any health or safety concerns about exposure to a Service or Support Animal. ADAS may request medical documentation of the student s condition to assist in determining whether the condition is disabling and whether there is a need for an accommodation. ADAS will make every effort to resolve any conflict in a timely manner, taking into consideration the conflicting needs and/or accommodations of each person involved.

4 The College will accommodate individuals with medical conditions that require accommodation in order to live, work, or attend class in proximity to Service or Support Animals, and alternative housing or work space arrangements will be made where appropriate. Owner s Responsibilities The Owner of a Service or Support Animal living in College housing and/or frequenting campus is responsible for the following: The Owner must be in full control of the animal at all times. The Owner must provide adequate care and supervision of the animal at his/her own expense. This includes training, cleanup and disposal of waste and proper hygiene. (Animal waste may not be disposed of in a trash receptacle within any campus building. Waste may be disposed of in an Adrian College dumpster. Dumpsters are located at several locations across campus.) This also includes providing for the health of the animal, such as vaccination, annual check-ups, and compliance with any licensing requirements. The Owner must assure that the animal does not cause undue interference or disruption to other residents. The Owner will indemnify, hold harmless, defend and be liable for any harm caused by the animal, including bodily injury or property damage. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, any expenses incurred for pest control, maintenance or cleaning above and beyond standard costs. Any such costs will be due at the time of repair and/or moveout, and the College shall have the right to bill the student account for any unmet obligations. The Owner must notify ADAS in writing if the animal is no longer required or is no longer residing on College property. If the animal will be replaced, the Owner must file a new request with ADAS. The Owner must permit scheduled inspection of his/her room for fleas, ticks or other pests as needed, and will be billed for any necessary pest treatment above and beyond standard pest management. The Owner must take the animal with him/her when leaving campus for a prolonged period of time, and may not leave the animal in the care of any other resident overnight. The Owner must abide by all other applicable residential policies. The Owner will provide current vet records and updated photos at the beginning of each Academic Year. Responsibilities of the Adrian College Community All members of the Adrian College Community, including faculty, staff and students, are expected to abide by the following: Service Animals must be allowed to accompany their Owners at all time and in all places on campus, except where specifically prohibited.

5 Community Members should not touch, pet, feed or otherwise distract a Service Animal without the Owner s permission, and they should avoid any action that might startle the Service Animal. Community Members should not attempt to separate an Owner from his/her Service Animal. The nature of a person s disability is private, and no Community Member should inquire as to the details of an Owner s disability or their reason for using a Service or Support Animal. Community Members should contact ADAS if they have any questions or concerns relating to any Service or Support Animal. Removal of Animals from Campus A Faculty member or other College official may exclude a Service Animal from a classroom or other College facility if the owner is unable to control it or the animal is not housebroken. The College reserves the right to remove or exclude a Service Animal or Support Animal from campus if: The animal poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others; The animal s presence results in a fundamental alternation of the College s programs; The animal is in poor health; The Owner fails to comply with his/her responsibilities under this Policy; or The animal creates an unmanageable disturbance or interference with the Adrian College Community. Special Situations/Exceptions Students and/or Employees should contact the Assistance Director of Academic Services for any exception to this policy. Roles and Responsibilities Office of Academic Services responsible for developing and implementing all necessary procedures, facilitating the use of Service Animals by students with disabilities, and assisting the College Community with any questions or concerns with regarding to Service or Support Animals. Also responsible for facilitating individual accommodations for current or prospective Adrian College employees with disabilities Owner responsible for contacting ADAS and following all policies and procedures with respect to his or her Service Animal.

6 Contact Information Department Contact Phone Office of Academic Services Assistant Director (517) x.4094 Human Resources Director (517) x.3999 Owner Acknowledgement: By my signature below, I verify that I have read, understand, and will abide by the guidelines outlined here and I agree to provide any additional information required to complete my Service and Support Animal Request. Owner Signature Date Roommate Agreement: By my signature below, I agree to share my assigned residential space with the service or support animal approved by this agreement. Should I have any concerns, I will discuss these with the service or support animal s owner and then with my Residence Hall staff if the owner and I cannot come to an agreement. Roommate Signature Date

7 Adrian College Support Animal Request Form Name of Student: Date of Assessment: Assessment of qualifying disability must be completed by a psychiatrist or psychologist. 1. Evaluators Name: 2. Name of Practice, Location and Phone Number: 3. Professional Credentials and Designations:: 4. State license number, states in which you are registered and licensed to practice Diagnostic Statement Identifying Student s disability: Description of current functional limitations: Statement on how the animal serves as an accommodation for the verified disability: Any individual approved for a Support Animal accommodation must:

8 1. Follow all established Adrian College policies (including the Code of Conduct); 2. Register the animal with Disability Services PRIOR to moving into campus housing each year (deadlines noted in Support Animal Policy); 3. Provide documentation at the start of each academic year with proof the animal is licensed (pursuant to applicable laws) and in good health; 4. Review and sign appropriate forms as requested at the start of each year (including submitting updated picture of animal); 5. Produce, upon request of any Adrian College Official, the Support Animal Form, provided with approval of such accommodation. Support Animal Approved: Date: Support Animal Denied*: Date: *You have the right to appeal this decision by requesting a meeting with the Disabilities Issues Committee.