Planning An Accessible Event at USF
USF is committed to the full participation of all students, faculty, staff, and university guests at campus events, and recognizes that equal access is a shared responsibility. USF offers the information below to help guide you as you plan an accessible event on campus.
I. Legal Requirements
The University of San Francisco complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure its programs, services, goods and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
II. Accommodations and Services
Under Title III of the ADA, a public accommodation must provide certain auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities to ensure that all programs, services and activities, when viewed in their entirety, are readily accessible to and usable by those individuals. However, the auxiliary aids and services would not be required if they would "fundamentally alter" the nature of the goods or services, or if they would result in an undue burden.
Examples of auxiliary aids and services which may be required include
- sign language interpreters
- assistive listening devices
- materials in enlarged print or Braille
Examples of auxiliary aids and services, which are personal in nature, and may not be required include
- hearing aids
- wheelchairs
- personal assistants
- CART captioning
III. Announcement Information
It is essential to invite guests/participants to make requests for accommodation on all invitations, announcements and/or communications (registration forms, flyers, web pages, emails and print) or other materials distributed before an event. The announcement must include the following information on how to request an accommodation for a disability:
- To whom the request should be made to (person or office)
- How a person can request an accommodation (phone, fax, or e-mail)
- By when the request should be made (date, usually at least two weeks in advance of the event)
Sample Language
USF accommodates individuals with disabilities. If you need a disability-related accommodation or wheelchair access information, please contact [name of event contact], [title, if appropriate], [department] at [phone number] or [e-mail address]. Requests should be made by [date, at least 14 days in advance of the event].
If the event coordinator has any questions about requests or resources for accommodations in response to your announcement, please contact Student Disability Services at (415) 422-2613 or the ADA Coordinator for Faculty and Staff in HR at (415) 422-6707.
IV. Best Practices for Audience Participation
USF recognizes audience participation methods as one aspect of ensuring event accessibility. As you are planning your event, it is a best practice to include multiple modalities for audience participation in order to make your event as inclusive as possible. For example, allowing audience members to both write down questions and raise their hand to ask questions verbally helps mitigate different types of barriers that can be present in communication for people with disabilities.
V. Parking
Individual disabled parking permits are available through Public Safety. Permits do not guarantee a parking space due to the limited number of parking spaces on campus. Guests should be reminded that prior arrangements need to be made if planning to use a state placard, as it is difficult to find parking close to USF buildings. If shuttle assistance will be needed, contact Public Safety at least 24 hours in advance. Please visit Public Safety for more information on permit types and fees.
VI. Arranging for an Accessibility Accommodation
The person or office sponsoring the event will be the contact person for arranging the accommodation. If the contact person has questions or needs guidance on how to arrange the accommodation, he or she can contact:
- Student Disability Services at (415) 422-2613 or sds@usfca.edu if the individual requesting an accommodation is a USF student.
- Human Resources at (415) 422-6707 if the individual requesting an accommodation is not a USF student.
VII. Cost
It is the responsibility of the host program to bear the cost of the accommodation for the person(s) with a disability.