ADA Guidelines for MU Athletic Events, Music and Theatre Events, Meetings, and Other Similar Events

Providing Notice of Opportunity to Request Accommodations Based on Disability:

Physical and program accessibility should be provided for all campus events and programs. It is the responsibility of the coordinator of the event to make sure that the location is physically accessible and to be aware of particular limitations of the space (e.g. front and back access to a room, parking nearby, etc.). If you want more information about planning accessible meetings, including a checklist, etc., please call the MU ADA Coordinator at 884-7278.

Please note that when academic credit is being sought by a MU student, it is the student's responsibility to request academic accommodations through the instructor and/or the Office of Disability Services. Academic accommodations, however, are a separate matter from basic accessibility, which should be provided regardless of whether it is requested.

By inviting requests for accommodations in advance of events, needs should be met and surprise requests prevented. Individual accommodations typically requested for programs, conferences, and events include preferential seating, portable amplification systems, sign language interpreters, and modified formats of printed materials. When scheduling a sign language interpreter, you will usually need at least seven working days. Currently, interpreter services in Columbia are available primarily through Columbia Interpreting Services, 442-9876, and MU has a contract with that company (contact Business Services for details).

When a formal lecture is given, it is helpful to provide a copy of the speech to the interpreter ahead of time. Sessions lasting more than 90 minutes or so may require at least two interpreters who share responsibilities. We recommend talking with the interpreter in advance of the event, and suggest that you discuss whether additional interpreters may be needed, the scheduling of breaks for the interpreter, how to be sure that the deaf listener is getting the information s/he needs, and other issues. (Some common problems include speakers who talk very rapidly and two or more people talking more or less simultaneously.) Individuals who may be planning to attend campus events should be given the opportunity to request accommodations by a specific deadline, as well as the name of a contact person. Announcements, ticket information, brochures, posters, etc., should include a statement similar to one of the following:

Requests for communication accommodations related to disability need to be made to [person, place, phone number] by [date].

Requests for sign language interpreters need to be made by [date]. Other requests for communication accommodations related to disability need to be made by [date]. Please call [phone number]. TTY users, please call through Relay Missouri, 711.

Please let us know if an accommodation for aurally or visually communicated information is needed. Please contact us by [date] at [phone no.] so that arrangements can be made.

NOTE: If specific equipment is available or if a sign language interpreter has already been scheduled for a specific performance, note that on printed materials. For example: Assistive listening devices are available, or Sign language interpreting will be provided at the March 16th performance.

Large Conferences and Programs: 

Registration materials should include a statement as above and, as appropriate, specific options as noted below:

Please check any accommodations you will need during the conference:

__ Sign language interpreter

__ Assistive listening device

__ Audiotaped materials

__ Materials on computer disk

__ Sighted guides for assistance to/from specific sessions

__ Large print

__ Braille

__ Other

Please be sure that a contact person is identified in the registration materials. If lodging and/or meals are coordinated through the conference/program, an opportunity must be provided to request accommodations related to diet and lodging.

Lodging Accommodations: 

No University-sponsored event should be held in an inaccessible location on or off campus. If formal arrangements are made for lodging, the degree of accessibility should be determined and alternatives to inaccessible meeting rooms developed. Hotels may already have completed an ADA barrier survey and should be aware of the physical accessibility of their facilities. You should confirm that the hotel understands its responsibility for accessibility and has a procedure for asking if customers have special needs related to disability. If the lodging facility is not dealing directly with registration, the MU unit sponsoring the event needs to process requests for accommodations, or ensure that a lodging representative is named as the contact person for such requests.

In written materials you may want to include a simple statement (as below) or solicit more specific information on registration forms about shower benches, door widths, dietary restrictions, fire alarms, etc. At minimum you will need to identify a person who is able to confer with the registrant about their particular needs and who is prepared to consult with others for assistance in determining what is appropriate. For example:

If you need special accommodations in lodging, contact [name, place, phone no.].

NOTE: The MU ADA Coordinator is available to assist you in negotiating and reviewing accessibility arrangements for events, conferences, and meetings. Call 884-7278 for more information.

Revised June 2005