Disability-Related Accommodations
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
In 1990 Congress enacted this law with the intention of it to ‘‘provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities." The act was amended in 2008, which retains the basic definition of "disability" as:
- an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
- having a record of such an impairment; or
- being regarded as having such an impairment, but states that the definition should be interpreted broadly.
The ADA requires that each state in the country comply with this act.
Procedure
All events occurring at UMass Boston must be made accessible to all participants. All descriptive materials, including advertisements, web pages, invitations, pre-recorded telephone announcements, and so forth must contain an ADA Request for Accommodations statement such as the one below:
Anyone requiring disability-related accommodations, including dietary accommodations, should contact [event planner name, phone, and email] a minimum of two weeks prior to the event.
Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the event planner to track and fulfill the requests received.
Resources
Interpreting Services for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing*:
- Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (online request form)
- UMass Boston Ross Center (they can give suggestions or names of the interpreters used for classes)
*Please note that this is not a free service - you must pay for an interpreter
Materials in Alternative Format:
- Contact the staff editor/designer that created your print materials in the Division of Marketing and Engagement.
Dietary Restrictions:
- Contact your caterer as soon as you are aware of this request. You may want to include some gluten-free, nut-free, and vegetarian options to your menu, even if you don't have any specific requests.