POLICY

One of the functions of the Office of Disability Services (ODS) is to coordinate 
and provide accommodations for community members with disabilities.   

    PURPOSE

These accommodations are to ensure full accessibility to activities on WOU's 
campus that are available to the community.  In this case community members 
refers to persons who utilize and attend WOU functions but are not WOU students, 
faculty or staff.

    PROCEDURES

It is the intent of ODS to make individual departments and divisions as self- 
sufficient as possible when they provide accommodations to community members 
with disabilities.  As such, ODS will often act as facilitator and advisor while 
leaving the actual provision of the accommodation to the department.  

Auxiliary Aids:

An auxiliary aid is a service or device that persons with disabilities can use 
to overcome some or all of the limitations caused by a disability.  Auxiliary 
Aids include, but are not limited to, Sign Language Interpreters, Notetakers, 
books on tape, or materials needed in an alternate print format.

1. Once an office has been notified that an accommodation for an event is 
   needed, ODS needs to be contacted immediately.  Questions ODS will ask you 
   are: What is the name and phone number of the person needing an 
   accommodation?  What accommodation did they request?  What did your office 
   tell them about an accommodation?  What is the event, when is the event (day, 
   date, beginning and ending time), where is the event and what does the event 
   involve?
2. Requests for an auxiliary aid can be called in to the ODS. Interpreters and 
   notetakers can be provided in most cases with 48-hours notice.  However, if 
   it is an on-going event or an event that requires the use of several 
   interpreters, at least 2 weeks advance notice is needed.  If the event 
   needing an interpreter is a play, all-day conference, or workshop, then 
   several weeks notice is needed.  The ODS will also need copies, in advance, 
   of scripts, keynote speeches, poems or other materials to give to the 
   interpreters.
3. To receive books/materials on tape, the office needs a minimum of 4-6 weeks 
   notice.
4. Materials that need to be provided in an alternate format (large print, 
   Braille) will be provided by the individual offices.  The technology to 
   perform both of these tasks is available to all personnel.  Standard copy 
   machines can enlarge materials and a Braille embosser is located in the 
   library.
5. If an office learns that an accommodation is no longer needed, the ODS needs 
   to be informed immediately so that services can be cancelled.  There is an 
   obligation to pay for unused services if they are not cancelled or are 
   cancelled with less than 24-hours notice.
6. Any problems with the provision of auxiliary services should be reported 
   immediately to the director of ODS at 838-8250.


Structural Access Accommodations:

Structural access accommodations address issues such as stairs, inaccessible 
buildings and inaccessible seating.

1. Once an office has been notified that an accommodation for an event is needed 
   ODS needs to contacted immediately.  Questions you will be asked by ODS 
   include:  What is the name and phone number of the person needing an 
   accommodation?  What accommodation did they request?  What did your office 
   tell them about an accommodation?  What is the event, when is the event 
   (date, beginning and ending time), where is the event and what does the 
   event involve?
2. ODS will work with the department sponsoring the event to provide and 
   establish structural access accommodations.

    AUTHORITY

    APPROVAL

Office of Disability Services, ADA Coordinator, supervisors and 
employees.