Request for Reasonable Accommodation

To assist the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority’s Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Coordinator in the evaluation of your request, please complete the following Request for Reasonable Accommodation and Authorization for Release of Information form. If you wish to submit a request in an alternative format or have any questions, please contact the RA Coordinator at 330-376-9788 or 330-762-9631.

Information regarding Reasonable Accommodations:

Federal and Ohio laws state that qualified individuals with disabilities shall not be discriminated against and shall be assured an equal opportunity to participate in the housing programs, activities, and services offered by the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA). An individual with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by completing the Request for Reasonable Accommodation and Authorization for Release of Information form and submitting it to the RA Coordinator at: 100 West Cedar Street, Akron, Ohio 44307, fax to 330-374-5025, or email to RARequests@akronhousing.org. Alternative means of requesting reasonable accommodations can be arranged upon request.

Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to, the following categories:

1.     A change in AMHA policies and procedures
2.     A repair or change in your apartment
3.     A repair or change to some other part of the property
4.    A change in location
5.     A change in the way AMHA communicates with you

The determination of a reasonable accommodation is an interactive process, which may include consultation with the individual seeking an accommodation, their medical professional, and/or the individual’s designee. An accommodation must be both reasonable and have an identifiable and substantial relationship to the individual's disability. All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

In determining whether a request for accommodation is reasonable, the following questions will be considered:

1.    Is there an identifiable relationship or nexus between the request and disability?
2.    Is an alternative accommodation possible?
3.    Does the request pose a direct threat to others?
4.    Is the request a fundamental alteration of the nature of AMHA services and/or programs?
5.    Does the request pose an undue financial and administrative burden?

If additional information or verification of disability-related information is needed, including additional medical verification, you will be contacted to discuss your request.

AMHA will provide the decision in writing or, where appropriate, in another format accessible to the individual requesting the accommodation. If the individual wishes to appeal the decision, the individual may do so, in writing, within fourteen (14) working days from the date the decision letter was sent to the individual.

For questions, contact the AMHA RA Coordinator at 330-376-9788 or 330-762-9631 (Ohio Relay: 711 or 1-800-750-0750).

This form is available in an accessible format by contacting the RA Coordinator at the number above, upon fourteen (14) days advance notice.

PLEASE NOTE: If the request is for more than one household member, please submit a separate request for each member requesting an accommodation

In most cases, it is necessary that you provide AMHA with the name and contact information of at least one doctor, licensed professional, or reliable third party who is able to verify this information. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT PROVIDED, YOUR REQUEST MAY BE DELAYED OR AMHA MAY BE UNABLE TO EVALUATE YOUR REQUEST.

I hereby authorize the release of information/documentation to and from the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) for the purpose of evaluating my request for the reasonable accommodation described on this form. This release shall constitute a limited authorization for the release of information concerning the physical or mental impairment(s) which I assert qualify me as an individual with a disability (or a household member(s) who is under age 18) for the sole purpose of this reasonable accommodation request. This release does not permit AMHA to examine medical records unrelated to this accommodation request. The information/documentation obtained as a result of this release shall be maintained separately and confidentially in the AMHA RA office. SIGNATURE OF BOTH THE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD AND THE PERSON SEEKING THE ACCOMMODATION (IF OVER 18) IS REQUIRED. This Request for Reasonable Accommodation and Release of Information form may be submitted electronically and any electronic signatures appearing on this form or such other documents shall have the same validity, enforceability, and admissibility as if hand written.

If this request is being made by someone other than the AMHA resident/applicant, the submitting party must submit via fax, email or U.S. mail a release of information (if another organization or party is involved) or a letter of representation (if an attorney is involved), signed by the head of household and, if applicable, person for whom the accommodation is being requested (if over 18). Please provide the name of the agency (if applicable), contact person, address, telephone number, fax number, and email address. Please submit this information to the attention of the RA Coordinator via fax (330-374-5025), U.S. mail (100 West Cedar Street, Akron, Ohio 44307), or email RARequests@akronhousing.org.