You are likely aware that assistance animals must be accommodated under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), as well as the concept of service dogs under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). But have you considered the role of miniature horses as service animals? Join our upcoming webinar to learn when they are allowed, the assistance they can provide, and why they can sometimes be more advantageous than dogs.
In this engaging session, realtor-turned fair hosuing advocate, Jo becker will go beyond the traditional scope of assistance animals and explore the fascinating roles that birds, snakes, and monkeys can play in assisting individuals with disabilities. We will discuss the unique abilities and benefits these less common species can offer and the circumstances in which they may fall under the ADA or the FHA.
During the webinar, Jo will share compelling stories and real-life examples to demystify any unknowns and address concerns or misconceptions you may have heard. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these unconventional assistance animals can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Don't miss out on this enriching session that will broaden your knowledge and challenge preconceived notions. Join us to gain valuable insights, dispel fears, and be better prepared to navigate the world of assistance animals beyond the ordinary. There's so much more to the ADA and the FHA than just seeing eye or hearing ear dogs! Expand your understanding of disability protections and the need to accommodate by exploring some less common and often misunderstood animal accommodation requests.
Take your understanding of disability-related aid animals to a new level with this unique session. Join us to gain an appreciation for what these critters can do for individuals with disabilities and to be prepared for unusual requests that might come your way.
Webinar Objectives
- Appreciate the differences (and legal distinctions) between service animals, assistance animals, and pets;
- Be prepared to review your current animal accommodation policies and practices for potential violations;
- Be prepared to handle unusual animal accommodation requests with professionalism and a high level of customer service because you will:
- Be familiar with them and clear when they may fall under the FHA or the ADA;
- Be reminded of disability protections and the accommodation / verification process; and
- Have several stories and examples to demonstrate when accommodation is reasonable and necessary, as well as an appreciation of how some very unexpected critters can help those with disabilities.
Webinar Agenda
- Differences (& legal distinctions!) between different critter classifications
- Differences between the FHA & ADA
- Quick review of:
- Disability protections
- The reasonable accommodation / verification process
- HUD guidance on animal accommodations
- Look at many stories & examples to:
- Demonstrate when accommodating is reasonable & needed;
- Appreciate the aid some un-common animals can provide;
- Enable you to review current policies & practices; and
- Help you handle requests with care & professionalism;
- Q&A
Webinar Highlights
- What qualifies as an “assistance animal” under the Fair Housing Act;
- How this differs from “pets” and from “service animals” under the Americans with Disabilities Act;
- What kind of less-common animal requests you might see and how these can, at times, be reasonable;
- Guidance straight from the Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) on how to handle common disability-related aid animal requests;
- HUD’s guidance on how to process unusual requests
Who Should Attend
- Leasing and on-site managers
- Portfolio managers
- Compliance officers
- Resident services coordinators (in affordable housing communities)
- Community concierges (in high-end housing communities)
- Independent landlords or small, “Mom and Pop” operators
- Service technicians, lead technicians, maintenance supervisors
- Homeowners’ association and community managers
