Accommodations

Invite individuals with disabilities who need accommodation to notify you prior to an in-person program. Specify a date by which individuals should notify you so that you have adequate time to make the appropriate arrangements. Use this statement on printed materials:

Individuals with disabilities are invited to request reasonable accommodations to participate in NDSU-sponsored programs and events. To request an accommodation(s), please contact (person or department sponsoring the event) at (phone or e-mail) by (specific date) to make arrangements.

Providing accommodations is required by law and is not optional. However, there are often alternatives to how an accommodation may be provided. Handling requests for accommodation is often a public relations matter; that is, the manner in which requests are handled may be more important than how the accommodation is made.

Costs for accommodations should be part of your regular programming budget. However, contact your district director or program leader if the cost is an issue.

One type of request for accommodation could be for a sign language interpreter. Since interpreters are in short supply, identify any interpreters in your community and/or county and record their contact information for your office.

Alternative Formats

One kind of accommodation is making written materials available in alternative formats -- for example, a written document in an audio format for a person with a visual impairment. Agriculture Communication is prepared to help you with such requests. Call Agriculture Communication at (701) 231-7881 to make arrangements in advance and before making a commitment to provide information in a particular format or by a particular date.

This statement must be included on printed documents:

This publication will be made available in alternative format upon request to people with disabilities 701-XXX-XXXX.