Accessibility

Accessibility

THE WISCONSIN UNION PROCEDURAL MEMO

Request for Auxiliary Aids & Services or other Accommodations Required by the ADA

This memo provides guidelines for arranging accommodations to access programs, services and facilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II and Title III (ADA). Generally, these services will be provided by the unit/department within The Wisconsin Union where the request is made. Costs for accommodation are, in most cases, the responsibility of the event, program or service sponsor. This procedure does not address employment issues. This procedure is consistent with the Wisconsin Union's commitment to quality customer service including the provision of appropriate accommodations.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The ADA applies to all individuals with physical or mental impairments that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The ADA covers all persons with disabilities and extends many of the protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which barred discrimination based on gender, religion, race and national origin. Divided into five (5) titles, the ADA deals with employment, public services (such as universities), public accommodations and services operated by private entities (stores, restaurants, etc.), telecommunications and enforcement. The ADA represents the culmination of years of effort by more than 200 organizations and thousands of people with disabilities, with the cooperation of business and service providers, to ensure that people with disabilities have the same basic civil rights that all other Americans enjoy.

Auxiliary Aids includes such services or devices as qualified interpreters, assistive listening headsets, television captioning and decoders, telecommunications devices for deaf persons (TTY's), video text displays, readers, taped texts, Braille materials and large print materials.

Individual with a Disability is a person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities (see definition below) of such an individual; a record of having such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.

Major life activities include functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.

Access and Accommodations Resource Coordinator (AARC) is the individual designated by the Wisconsin Union Director to manage accommodation requests and coordinate appropriate auxiliary aids and services. (265-6788 is voice/relay)

  
ACCOMMODATION REQUEST PROCEDURE

 Some accommodations require significant planning while others are readily accomplished. All accommodation requests should be made with as much advance notice as possible.

Accommodation Request Form

1.  The Wisconsin Union will establish and maintain policies, practices and procedures that provide equal access to its programs, services and activities to individuals with disabilities.
   
   
2. Training of The Wisconsin Union staff is a critical step for assuring equal access to service. To recognize this issue, Staff Education and Training will include disability awareness and instruction on the procedure for handling accommodation requests.
   
   
3. Individuals are responsible for making timely and complete disclosures and specific requests regarding desired accommodations to meet their particular needs for The Wisconsin Union to provide an appropriate response.
   
   
4. The Wisconsin Union will include in its various promotions the Wisconsin Union's commitment to provide access and accommodations and the means to communicate with the AARC (a specific phone line/relay and email address).
   
   
5. Requests may either be received by a front line staff person or through the AARC.
   
   
6. Persons other than the AARC can respond to a request by coordinating with the affected unit and support staff to make the accommodation in a timely manner, e.g. reserving a seat in the Theater for a patron using a wheelchair.
   
   
7. All requests for accommodation will be documented on a three-part “Accommodation Request Form.” A copy of this form will be given to the patron, another copy will remain with the AARC and the third copy will be filed with McBurney Disability Resource Center.
   
   
8. Verification of disability may be requested if the condition or accommodations are not evident or apparent.  Documentation of disability, if required, is to be submitted and reviewed by the AARC only. All documentation is to be kept confidential.
   
   
9. Requests involving more difficult coordination or any expense are referred to the AARC (i.e. arranging an interpreter for a lecture).
   
   
10. When receiving requests, either by direct contact or through a front line staff, the AARC will:
    
    A. Maintain the priorities of accessible, reasonable, simple, timely,effective, dependable and universal.
    
    B. Work with the unit for which the request was made.
    
    C. Contact the appropriate resources, when applicable.
    
    i. Student Related: McBurney Center 263-2741/voice, 263-6393/voice/relay
    
    ii. Facilities: Campus Facilities Access Specialist 263-3021 – voice/relay
    
    iii. Other: Campus Interim ADA Coordinator 263-7400 – voice/relay
    
    D. Give priority to documenting and maintaining files on requests and their disposition, and update files of related ADA resources.
    
    E. Respond to a person's request as soon as possible, or no more than twenty (20) days from receipt to at least inform the person of the status of the request.
    
    F. When denying a request, explain what appeal or grievance procedures are available.
    
    
11. Extra charges may not be imposed on individuals with disabilities to cover the costs of measures necessary to ensure non-discriminatory treatment, such as removing barriers or providing qualified interpreters.

  
GRIEVANCES/APPEALS

Grievances and appeals must be filed within thirty (30) days of an initial inability to comply with an accommodation request with the Secretary of The Wisconsin Union Council Facilities Committee (608) 263-4588. A response will be made within 30-45 days, at a maximum. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator will serve as a resource for all grievances and appeals.

(608) 263-7400/voice, (608) 263-2973/TTY