ACCOMMODATING PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS
A PRESENTATION TO THE MARIO EINAUDI CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND THE OFFICE OF THE VICE PROVOST FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015, 11:30 AM, 153 URIS HALL
MINDFUL EVENT PLANNING
INDEX
PAGEINDEX 2
WHY ACCOMMODATE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES? 3
THE DEFINITION OF DISABILITY UNDER THE ADA 4
CORNELL’S CREED 5
WHY NOW? 6
2014-2015 TND INITIATIVES 7
WHERE DO WE BEGIN? 8
COMMON TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION 9-12
IMPLEMENTATION 13-14
DISABILITY ACCESS SYMBOLS 15-16
IMPLEMENTATION 17-23
CHECKLIST 24
PUBLICITY AND PRE-REGISTRATION MATERIALS 25
CONTACT INFORMATION 26
WATCHWORDS FOR PLANNING 27
CONCLUSION 28
WHY ACCOMMODATE PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES?
• It is the law!
• Federal law requires the provision of reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with
disabilities.
• Under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, you are considered to have a disability if you have a physical or mental impairment or medical condition that substantially limits a major life activity, or if you have a history or record of such an impairment or medical condition.
• It is important to remember that in the context of the ADA, “disability” is a legal term rather than a medical one. Because it has a legal definition, the ADA’s definition of disability is different from how disability is defined
under some other laws.
• The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.
• This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability.
• The ADA also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person based on that person’s association with a person with a disability.
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF DISABILITY UNDER
THE AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)?
CORNELL’S CREED
“One of Cornell university’s founding principles is
that the university must be an inclusive
environment, one in which people of all
backgrounds feel safe and welcome. As members
of the Cornell community, we all share the
responsibility for creating a safer, more caring
campus culture in which bias, harassment, and
violence have no place”
WHY NOW?
In keeping with this creed, each Vice Provost has
been mandated to institute goals for units that
fall under their purview.
The program, “Towards New Destinations
Initiatives”, aka “TND Initiatives” aims to fulfill
the mission of “creating a safer, more caring
campus…”
2014-2015 TND INITIATIVES
VICE PROVOST FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
1) SUPPORT ACCESSIBLE PLANNING EVENTS
2013-2014 spent compiling material.
2014-2015 best practices to be implemented.
2) DEVELOP MULTICULTURAL COMPETENCY
A long-term goal implemented in 2014 with the
required reading of the novel Clash by Amara Lakhous and follow up attendance at a group discussion led by the Vice Provost Laura Brown.
WHERE DO WE BEGIN?
MINDSET—Begin by being mindful that all
events must have a contingency in place to
accommodate special needs. Infuse your staff
with this awareness.
BUDGET— Make provisions in the annual
program budget for events where an
accommodation is requested.
COMMON TYPES OF
ACCOMMODATION
VISUAL
Will the person be able to read the print on
the screen?
Is the print large enough?
Remember, some people are color blind or
have limited vision.
COMMON TYPES OF
ACCOMMODATION
AUDITORY
Will the person be able to hear the
presentation?
Not using a microphone in a small
COMMON TYPES OF
ACCOMMODATION
AMBULATORY
How will people in wheelchairs access the room?
Back issues or walking with the assistance of a
cane could preclude stair climbing.
COMMON TYPES OF
ACCOMMODATION
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE
Are there invisible medical issues that require
sensitivity, simply based on the visitor’s request, e.g. incontinence?
Is anyone designated:
– To respond to questions relating to accommodations? – To help the visitor to refreshments if provided?
IMPLEMENTATION
BUDGET
-Annual program budget must include a figure
for special accommodations.
-If there are extraordinary requests, go up the
chain of command to identify funds for this
IMPLEMENTATION
PUBLICITY
ALL VISUAL MATERIALS, INCLUDING POSTERS MUST INDICATE TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION OFFERED, E.G.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
IMPLEMENTATION
When planning an event, the best
practice is to indicate on registration
forms, all advertising, webpages,
flyers, email messages, that
accommodations can be made for
persons with special needs.
IMPLEMENTATION
An accommodation is largely dependent
on facilities provided by the university, e.g.
wheelchair access or the availability of
assistive listening devices.
With sufficient lead time, all requests
should be entertained.
IMPLEMENTATION
SPECIAL NEEDS REQUIRE
ADVANCE NOTICE, NORMALLY
A MINIMUM OF TWO WEEKS,
IMPLEMENTATION
VISUAL ASSISTANCE
CONSIDER:
A) Font size and type
B) Background color of on-screen presentations.
C) Is there a glare that would make it difficult for a visually impaired visitor?
PROVIDE HANDOUTS OF PRESENTATIONS.
REVIEW “TIPS FOR ACCESSIBLE PRESENTATIONS “ ON ECIS PORTAL
IMPLEMENTATION
AUDITORY ASSISTANCE
DOES THE VENUE HAVE ASSISTED LISTENING DEVICES? CONFIRM BEFORE PLACING SYMBOL ON POSTER AND PROGRAMS.
1) Always use a microphone. Do not assume everyone can hear. Advise speakers in writing that they are
required to use a microphone.
2) If listening device not available at venue and sufficient notice is given, contact ECIS systems
manager about using the center’s portable listening device.
IMPLEMENTATION
AMBULATORY ASSISTANCE
1) Familiarize yourself with wheelchair access to the building.
2) Be on the lookout for guests who have difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
3) Reserve sufficient space at tables to allow visitors in wheelchairs to actively participate.
4) In lecture rooms, reserve seats at the end of a few rows for those who require extra leg room or easy exit.
IMPLEMENTATION
PERSONAL ASSISTANCE
1) If possible, designate someone to assist. This
could be as simple as pointing a guest to the
wheelchair access restroom.
2) Ensure dietary needs are solicited if food is
served. Guests with unusual dietary
requirements may need to be advised in
CHECKLISTS
CHECKLIST FOR PLANNING ACCESSIBLE EVENTS:
Einaudi Center Portal
http://portal.einaudi.cornell.edu/content/event-mgt
Cornell SDS Website
http://disability.cornell.edu/events/
PUBLICITY AND PRE-REGISTRATION
MATERIALS
PUBLICITY AND PRE-REGISTRATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
Kappy Fahey, Director, Student Disability Services 420 Computing and Communication Center 607-254-4545
Andrea Haenlin-Mott, ADA Coordinator for Facilities Humphreys Service Center
607-255-5150
Alan Mittman, Director, Workforce Policy and Labor Relations 391 Pine Tree Road
607-255-6866
Jennifer Perry Access Specialist Northeast ADA Center 800.949.4232
[email protected] www.northeastada.org
WATCHWORDS FOR PLANNING
• Keep these words in mind when planning an event.
• BUDGET
• SENSITIVITY
• INCLUSION
CONCLUSION
• Programs are required to make good faith efforts to
address accommodations for persons with special needs. • Budget for special accommodations.
• Some accommodations can be provided at little or no expense, e.g. choosing a venue with wheelchair access. • Special requests require a minimum of two weeks lead
time, e.g. sign language interpretation or dietary requests. • It may not be possible to accommodate some requests.
“Before denying any accommodation requests, event
planners should consult with a member of the Cornell ADA
Coordinator Team (the ADA Coordinator for Facilities, the Director of Student Disability Services, or the Associate
