Statewide Parent Training Information Center (PTI)

I would like to enroll my daughter who is deaf in summer art classes offered by a museum education program. Do they have to provide an interpreter at their expense?
The museum would have to provide an interpreter for your daughter if that is the only way to provide effective communication for her to participate in the program, and if it is not an undue burden for them. Both public and private entities are required to provide auxiliary aids and services (such as interpreters) necessary for effective communication, unless it is an undue burden - this means a significant difficulty or expense. So it would depend on the cost of the interpreter, the resources of the museum itself, and access the museum has to additional community resources.

My child requires an aide to assist her in participating in the summertime school-age childcare program offered by our school district. Can they raise our fees because they will have to hire an aide to meet her needs?
No. Providing an aide is one way public entities can make their programs accessible to individuals with disabilities as they are required to do by the ADA. Although providing such a service may result in some additional costs, the ADA states that they may not place a surcharge only on individuals with disabilities to cover these expenses. They may, however, adjust the tuition or fees for all students.

Would the ADA require a local health and fitness club to provide an aide so my child with physical impairments could participate in their swimming classes?
The ADA would require the health club to provide an aide for your child as a reasonable modification to their program if it did not cause them an undue burden, or fundamentally alter the nature of their program. However, under the ADA, the club would not be required to provide services of a personal nature such as toileting or dressing if this was not a service that club staff normally provided to other students.

My daughter who has cerebral palsy wants to take horseback riding lessons at camp with her friends. Camp staff told us she should enroll in a special horsemanship program for people with disabilities that is offered elsewhere. Must she attend the 'special' program ?
Probably not. The ADA encourages the most integrated setting appropriate for each individual with a disability. Even when an organization has established separate or special programs for individuals with disabilities, it cannot deny an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in its regular programs - unless the person does not meet other eligibility requirements such as previous experience or necessary skills, unless there is a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable modifications, or unless there is a fundamental alteration to the nature of the program. So, if your daughter meets the basic eligibility requirements and can safely participate with minor or no modifications to the existing program, she should be able to attend the regular riding program.

Can my child without a disability be denied admission to a summer camp based on the fact that his older brother has HIV and the camp has concerns about contact with the virus?
No. Public or private entities may not refuse admission to any individual because of their relationship with persons who have disabilities.

PAVE | 6316 So. 12th St. | Tacoma, WA 98465
(253) 565-2266 (v/tty) | 1-800-5-PARENT (v/tty) | Fax: (253) 566-8052
E-mail:pave@wapave.org

PAVE has a policy of nondiscrimination. In the event you, as an employee or recipient of services, feel that you have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, marital status, disabled or Vietnam era veteran status, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, or HIV/AIDS status, you have the right to file a complaint with the agency´s 504 Compliance Officer.

Please contact PAVE´s Compliance Officer: Heather M. Hebdon,6316 South 12th. Street; Tacoma, WA 98465-1900, Phone:(253) 565-2266 (v/tty); 1-800-5-PARENT (v/tty); Fax: (253) 566-8052, E-mail:hhebdon@wapave.org