College Dorm ADA

plasticdinosaur

plasticdinosaur

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Next year I'm living in an apartment owned by my college, and when we went to tour, I notice that the fire alarm was simply a standard house alarm stuck to the ceiling. There it no way I'd be able to hear it, let alone through a closed door, and it has no blinker or any kind. Is it withing my rights to make them buy me a silent call system for use in my apartment? Otherwise there is no hope of me hearing the alarm they have, and it wasn't a problem before because the dorm I lived in before had blinkers.
 
I think you can ask, but I am not sure about their obligation.
 
Glenn said:
I think you can ask, but I am not sure about their obligation.
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They are only obligated to make academic accommodation. But, maybe he'll get a hold of an understanding disability dept.
 
plasticdinosaur said:
I thought maybe it was an ADA issue since my college is a state owned university.
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Maybe. Normal laws pertaining to college or university owned apartments sometimes don't apply. This is because these apartments are considered "incidental" and not the school's main business, which is education.

I lived in an off-campus university owned apartment for many years.
 
Hi, Last year I went to a private university and lived in Dorm. They were pretty good regarding living arrangements. They too only had the standard alarm for people who can hear, I went to the Dean of students and explained how this is a danger for me--within the week they installed two alarms for me with strobe lights--one in my bedroom and one in the living room. Talk to the school, I am SURE they will fix this as while you live there they are liable. Also, there are many organization that would be able to provide you with a free smoke alarm--I recently moved into my own apartment and I got a free strobe alarm from a local organization.


GOOD LUCK!!
 
Shoshana said:
Hi, Last year I went to a private university and lived in Dorm. They were pretty good regarding living arrangements. They too only had the standard alarm for people who can hear, I went to the Dean of students and explained how this is a danger for me--within the week they installed two alarms for me with strobe lights--one in my bedroom and one in the living room. Talk to the school, I am SURE they will fix this as while you live there they are liable. Also, there are many organization that would be able to provide you with a free smoke alarm--I recently moved into my own apartment and I got a free strobe alarm from a local organization.


GOOD LUCK!!
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what organization did that for you? My apartment complex has been pretty good about it, but I would like to know for future reference.
 
Good lucky,

I have group home alarm flash! that is why reason otherwise alarm safe@
 
ash345 said:
what organization did that for you? My apartment complex has been pretty good about it, but I would like to know for future reference.
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HI sorry I forget what organization help me with this, but u can contact your local deaf service center and they will point you for the right direction or maybe they have it
 
I think they're required to provide it for you since you're "renting" the place from them and it's under their control (you don't own it).

I requested strobe light smoke detector/alarm and got it in my apartments.
 
After talking to a few people at the school, the manager said he'd put one in. He's not exactly the most reliable on doing what he says, but we'll see. If he doesn't I'll file a complaint.
 
plasticdinosaur said:
After talking to a few people at the school, the manager said he'd put one in. He's not exactly the most reliable on doing what he says, but we'll see. If he doesn't I'll file a complaint.
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Good luck!..
 
Actually the housing for a University whether it is on campus or off does fall under the ADA Title II 28 section 35.

You may insist on an audible, visual alarm at every place required by the fire departments and the International Building code.

If you still have a problem contact us at NAACBinc@aol.com. We are used to fighting University wing nuts who think they understand the Ada, but trample all over our rights.

Currently we are doing battle with eight Universities in Indiana as well as 15 municipalities.

Rev. D. Terry Oberloh
 
I was an Resident Assistant for a year in undergrad and they agreed to install a flashing doorbell and flashing fire alarms for me. I was sure I'd get a lot of prank calls (lights in the middle of the night) but I didn't, thankfully.
 
Shoshana said:
Hi, Last year I went to a private university and lived in Dorm.
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Dorms are different from apartments. If the OP is going to pay for water, internet, electricity, etc. then there's a good chance that he/she is responsible for everything inside the apartment.

You can buy a flashing alarm and ask someone to wire it to the alarm system. Same goes for a doorbell notification device.
 
kristy2078 said:
Dorms are different from apartments. If the OP is going to pay for water, internet, electricity, etc. then there's a good chance that he/she is responsible for everything inside the apartment.

You can buy a flashing alarm and ask someone to wire it to the alarm system. Same goes for a doorbell notification device.
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It is an apartment building owned by my dorm. It is part of the university, and we pay one lump sum within our tuition, and everything is covered for the year. We pay no utilities at all.
 
plasticdinosaur said:
It is an apartment building owned by my dorm. It is part of the university, and we pay one lump sum within our tuition, and everything is covered for the year. We pay no utilities at all.
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So then it shouldn't be an issue asking for accommodations added to your apartment.
 
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