Disability Nondiscrimination Plan & Accessibility Statement

ReFED, Inc. is committed to providing individuals with disabilities the opportunity for full participation in its programs, services, and activities through its compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.

ReFED, Inc. recognizes that individuals with disabilities may need accommodations or modifications to have equal opportunities to participate in or benefit from ReFED, Inc.’s programs, services and activities.

It is ReFED, Inc.’s policy that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability will be denied access to or participation in any program, service, or activity offered by ReFED, Inc.. ReFED, Inc. will administer programs, services, and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities. ReFED, Inc. will provide an equal opportunity to participate fully in the programs, services, and activities provided by ReFED, Inc. in a timely manner and in such a way as to protect the privacy and independence of the individual.

Individuals with disabilities have a right to request accommodations. Individuals will receive accommodations appropriate to their needs in order to fully participate in or benefit from ReFED, Inc.’s services and activities in a non-discriminatory, integrated setting.

ReFED, Inc. and any of its agents will not coerce, intimidate, retaliate against, or discriminate against any individual for exercising a right under the ADA or Section 504, or for assisting or supporting another to exercise a right under the ADA or Section 504.

Definitions

1.  Disability means, with respect to an individual:
   1.  a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the person's major life activities;
   2.  a history of such an impairment; or
   3.  being regarded as having such an impairment.
2. Accommodation means adjustments including reasonable modifications to rules, policies, or practices; environmental adjustments such as the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers; or auxiliary aids and services. Examples of accommodations include, but are not limited to: scribe, interpreter, environment free of distractions, material in Braille, tapes, and computer-assisted instruction.

Nondiscrimination Coordinator

The Nondiscrimination Coordinator will coordinate ReFED, Inc.’s efforts to comply with Section 5045 and ADA,6 including ensuring the following:

1. ReFED, Inc. will adopt and make readily available in suitable formats:
   1. A procedure that allows an individual to disclose a disabling condition and request accommodations believed needed to obtain equal access to and enable participation in ReFED, Inc. programs, services, and activities;
   2. A procedure for maintaining personal information in a manner that protects the privacy and independence of the individual; and
   3. A procedure for providing accommodations.
2. ReFED, Inc. will maintain data on the nature and extent of the services provided to individuals with disabilities and develop data collection requirements as part of the operational guidelines for implementing this policy.
3. ReFED, Inc. will provide accommodations to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in or benefit from ReFED, Inc. and its programs, services, and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate.
4. ReFED, Inc. will utilize the grievance procedures set forth in its nondiscrimination program and policy for providing prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action that would violate Title II of the ADA or Section 504. These procedures should be applicable to any anticipated complaint, including an appeal of a denied accommodation request.
5. ReFED, Inc. will provide services that are required to comply with ADA and Section 504 free of charge.
6. ReFED, Inc. will provide periodic in-service training for faculty and staff to develop their awareness and understanding of the needs of individuals with disabilities and legal compliance issues. 

Accommodations 

No participant with a disability in a ReFED, Inc. program, service or activity will be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or be otherwise discriminated against in the provision of services available to all individuals in general.

Each individual is responsible for making requests regarding accommodations to meet their particular needs in order to enable ReFED, Inc. to provide an appropriate response to the accommodation request.

All auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations used by individuals with disabilities to provide access to ReFED, Inc. programs, services, and activities need not be on hand or  present at all times.

Accommodations are not required that fundamentally alter the nature of the program, service, or activity; require waiver of essential program or licensure requirements; violate accreditation requirements; or pose an undue fiscal or administrative burden on ReFED, Inc.

In determining appropriate accommodations, ReFED, Inc. gives consideration to the wishes of the individual, and in certain appropriate circumstances, for example, the documentation provided and institutional expertise in working with individuals with disabilities.

ReFED, Inc. will not require an individual with a disability to accept an accommodation, aid, service, opportunity or benefit under any circumstances.