[nagdu] Question about College Campuses

[National Association of Guide Dog Users]

	A few years ago, one of the ADA Technical Assistance Centers
circulated some misinformation that college campuses could require visitors
with service animals to report to and gain permission from the campus
Disability office that they would be on campus with their service dog and
that students wishing to be accompanied by their service animals may be
required to obtain permission before being allowed to have their service
animals accompany them in class. This guidance was frought with a number of
statements that were in direct conflict with the implementing regulations of
the ADA.

	Under the ADA, private entities that provide public accommodations
are required to modify their policies, practices, and procedures to allow
individuals with disabilities to enjoy the goods, services, benefits,
accommodation, and priveleges afforded to others. Places of higher
education, whether public or private, are places of public accommodation. As
such, they may not impose any restrictions upon disabled individuals
accompanied by service animals unless the presence of the animal poses a
direct threat, defined as a significant risk to the health or safety of
others that cannot be eliminated by a modification of policies, practices,
or procedures, or if the animal is out of control and the handler does not
take immediate, effective action to control the animal. The animal must be
on  a leash or tether, unless doing so would interfere with the work or
tasks it was trained to perform. Entities may not require any sort of
identification, documentation that the animal has been trained, or require
the animal to wear any special gear.

	I hope this information has been helpful. If you need any additional
information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. My contact
information is below my signature.

With kind regards,

Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.
National Federation of the Blind
(813) 626-2789 (Office)
888-NAGDU411 (Hotline
President at nagdu.org
www.nagdu.org



-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Danielle Sykora
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 12:57 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Question about College Campuses

Lizzy,

As far as I know, since the campus is open to the public, it would be
considered a public place. Perhaps you might want to ask this question on
the NAGDU list.

Danielle

On 11/12/13, lizzy <lizzym0827 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
> Are college campuses considered public places even if they are private 
> schools? I know that they are open to the public but would my dog be 
> covered under the ADA? I had to inform a school that I will be 
> bringing my guide with me on a trip because I will be staying over 
> night and don't want my roommate to be allergic or afraid of dogs.  
> However, they are telling me that I need to inform the office of 
> disabilities and I'm not really sure why.  I want to know my rights 
> before talking to the office of disabilities so that they don't 
> overstep their boundaries.  Just as an FYI, this school has never had 
> a blind student and I'm not sure if they've ever had a service dog on 
> campus.
> Thanks for any help you can give me,
> Lizzy
>
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