College Dorm ADA

plasticdinosaur · 04-20-2011, 09:38 PM

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.

Glenn · 04-20-2011, 09:43 PM

I think you can ask, but I am not sure about their obligation.

jillio · 04-20-2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn

I think you can ask, but I am not sure about their obligation.

They are only obligated to make academic accommodation. But, maybe he'll get a hold of an understanding disability dept.

plasticdinosaur · 04-20-2011, 09:49 PM

I thought maybe it was an ADA issue since my college is a state owned university.

jillio · 04-20-2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasticdinosaur

I thought maybe it was an ADA issue since my college is a state owned university.

Apt. off campus, I assume?

Glenn · 04-20-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasticdinosaur

I thought maybe it was an ADA issue since my college is a state owned university.

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.

plasticdinosaur · 04-20-2011, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Apt. off campus, I assume?

Nope, it's on campus.

Shoshana · 06-23-2011, 07:32 AM

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!!

**ash345** · 06-27-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoshana

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!!

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

**Smithtr** · 06-27-2011, 01:54 PM

Good lucky,

I have group home alarm flash! that is why reason otherwise alarm safe@

Shoshana · 06-27-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash345

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

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

***VamPyroX*** · 06-27-2011, 04:46 PM

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.

plasticdinosaur · 06-28-2011, 05:26 AM

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.

**Phillips** · 06-28-2011, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasticdinosaur

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.

Good luck!..

NAACBinc · 07-04-2011, 07:44 PM

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

paperclip · 07-25-2011, 09:28 AM

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.

kristy2078 · 07-27-2011, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shoshana

Hi, Last year I went to a private university and lived in Dorm.

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.

plasticdinosaur · 07-28-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristy2078

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.

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.

kristy2078 · 07-28-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plasticdinosaur

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.

So then it shouldn't be an issue asking for accommodations added to your apartment.

plasticdinosaur · 07-29-2011, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristy2078

So then it shouldn't be an issue asking for accommodations added to your apartment.

The Residence Manager only said, "I'll see what I can do." Which was not reassuring.

captainpike2011 · 08-22-2011, 09:08 PM

It happened to me when I rent at one of the apartment. Landlord charged me $599 for fire alarm strobes. They claimed that I requested "reasonable modification". They didn't tell me I would be responsible for the cost. And they won't even accept the strobe alarm as reasonable accommodation.

Sunshine · 08-22-2011, 09:53 PM

I live in dorm one year (last year) and what they do for fire alarm there (and no I am not kidding) is give copy my key to another girl in dorm. If fire alarm goes, she supposed to come alert me. Very high tech.

posts from hell · 08-22-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunny_signs

I live in dorm one year (last year) and what they do for fire alarm there (and no I am not kidding) is give copy my key to another girl in dorm. If fire alarm goes, she supposed to come alert me. Very high tech.

Amazing technology these days!

authentic · 08-23-2011, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunny_signs

I live in dorm one year (last year) and what they do for fire alarm there (and no I am not kidding) is give copy my key to another girl in dorm. If fire alarm goes, she supposed to come alert me. Very high tech.

I hope she didn't sneak to your room and sniff your worn thongs when you are in the class.

04-20-2011, 09:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
plasticdinosaur Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: IUB Posts: 167	College Dorm ADA 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.

06-27-2011, 04:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: 40.18, 58.41 Posts: 34,158	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. __________________ Check out my city... C L I C K H E R E! (If you've already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

07-04-2011, 07:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
NAACBinc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1	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 Shoshana likes this.

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04-20-2011, 09:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Glenn Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 2,909	I think you can ask, but I am not sure about their obligation.

04-20-2011, 09:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
plasticdinosaur Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: IUB Posts: 167	I thought maybe it was an ADA issue since my college is a state owned university.

06-23-2011, 07:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
Shoshana Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Palm Beach, FLORIDA Posts: 397	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!!

06-27-2011, 01:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
Smithtr Siberian Husky Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 14,680	Good lucky, I have group home alarm flash! that is why reason otherwise alarm safe@

06-28-2011, 05:26 AM	#13 (permalink)
plasticdinosaur Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: IUB Posts: 167	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.

07-25-2011, 09:28 AM	#16 (permalink)
paperclip Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: upstate NY Posts: 423	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.

08-22-2011, 09:08 PM	#21 (permalink)
captainpike2011 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3	It happened to me when I rent at one of the apartment. Landlord charged me $599 for fire alarm strobes. They claimed that I requested "reasonable modification". They didn't tell me I would be responsible for the cost. And they won't even accept the strobe alarm as reasonable accommodation.

08-22-2011, 09:53 PM	#22 (permalink)
Sunshine Banned Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Home of Canucks! Posts: 3,269 Blog Entries: 2	I live in dorm one year (last year) and what they do for fire alarm there (and no I am not kidding) is give copy my key to another girl in dorm. If fire alarm goes, she supposed to come alert me. Very high tech.