REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATIONS
& MODIFICATIONS:
A GUIDE FOR
RESIDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES
Revised 10-13
1
Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications
for Residents With Disabilities
The Fair Housing Partners wrote this guidebook to help rental applicants
and residents, and members of condominiums and homeowner
associations understand the reasonable accommodation and modification
process. We hope you find this information helpful.
Other free fair housing resources are available in print and CD format:
Housing Discrimination & Your Civil Rights: Fair Housing
Guide for Renters and Home Buyers
Harassment and Retaliation
Domestic Violence & Fair Housing
Sample Policy for Housing Providers: Reasonable
Accommodations & Modifications for People with Disabilities
Sample Policy for Housing Providers: Service Animals
Please share your comments about this guidebook by contacting the King
County Office of Civil Rights, 206-263-2446, TTY Relay: 711, or email to
Civil-Rights.OCR@KingCounty.gov.
FAIR HOUSING PARTNERS OF WASHINGTON STATE
Washington State Human Rights Commission
King County Office of Civil Rights
Seattle Office for Civil Rights
Tacoma Human Rights
Fair Housing Center of Washington
Northwest Fair Housing Alliance
This information does not constitute legal advice. Please consult
with one of the fair housing agencies if you have questions about this topic.
AVAILABLE IN ALTERNATE FORMATS UPON REQUEST
Contact King County OCR, 206-263-2446, TTY Relay: 711
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHO IS DEFINED AS A "PERSON WITH A DISABILITY"?
3
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
3
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS PROCESS
4
Make a Request 4
Provide Verification 6
Discuss Your Request 6
TROUBLESHOOTING: WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
8
Resources 9
APPENDICES
A: Fair Housing Agency Chart
10
B: Common Disability Accommodations & Modifications
12
C: Accessible Parking 13
D: Service Animals
14
E: Sample Letters for Residents
Request for Accessible Parking
15
Request for Large Print
15
Request for Service Animal 16
Request for Reasonable Modification
16
F: Guidance for Health Care and Qualified Professionals:
Verifying Reasonable Accommodation and Modification Requests
17
3
WHO IS DEFINED AS A "PERSON WITH A DISABILITY"?
Under fair housing laws, a disability is defined as:
• a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits
one or more major life activities,
• a record of such an impairment, or
• being regarded as having such an impairment.
The Washington State Law Against Discrimination
defines disability to include conditions that are temporary
or permanent, common or uncommon, mitigated or unmitigated.
A "housing provider" is a landlord, rental manager, condominium board person,
homeowner association board member, or other person or entity which controls access
and/or use to dwellings or housing related services.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS
An applicant or resident with a disability may need either a reasonable accommodation
or a reasonable modification, or both, in order to have an equal opportunity to use and
enjoy a dwelling, including public and common use spaces. See Appendix B for a list of
common accommodations and modifications.
A reasonable accommodation is a change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy,
practice, or service that allows a person with a disability to use and enjoy housing,
including public and common use areas. Examples of reasonable accommodations
provided by rental management include:
• providing rental forms in large print
• providing a reserved accessible parking space near a
dwelling
• allowing a service animal in a "no pets" building
• granting a move to the ground floor when someone can
no longer climb stairs.
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A reasonable modification is a structural change made to a
resident's living space or to the common areas of a community,
which is necessary to enable the resident with a disability to
have full use of and enjoyment of the housing. Reasonable
modifications can include structural changes to interiors and
exteriors of dwellings, and to common and public use areas.
Examples of reasonable modifications include:
• widening a doorway for a wheelchair user
• installing grab bars in a bathroom
• lowering kitchen cabinets to a height suitable for a wheelchair user
• adding a ramp and handrails to make a main entrance accessible
• altering a walkway to provide access to a public or common use area.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS PROCESS
MAKE A REQUEST
If an individual with a disability needs a reasonable accommodation or modification, the
first step is to submit a request to the housing provider. The person with a disability or
another person/entity (parent, advocacy organization or other representative) can make
the request. The request does not need to disclose the nature of the person's disability.
(see sample letters in Appendix C)
Accommodation requests can be verbal; however, it is
recommended that requests be made in writing. Written
requests will help the housing provider to assess the request
and avoid misunderstandings about what is being requested.
There is no specific form or format that must be used for
requests.
The request must be:
• for someone who has a disability,
• for an accommodation that is necessary and directly related to the person’s
disability, and
• reasonable.
In the request, include a full description of the required accommodation. If there are
resources that will make it easier or quicker for management to grant the request, it is
helpful to include this information with the request.
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If the request is for permission to make a modification to the premises at the resident's
expense:
• Give a full description of the modification(s) that is needed.
• Let management know that building permits will be obtained, if necessary.
• Assure management that the modifications will be done in a professional
manner.
Requests for reasonable accommodations are usually granted without cost to the
resident. However, residents usually must pay for reasonable modifications. In some
cases, a resident will be asked to:
Agree to return the premises to its original state, at the resident's expense.
Agree to pay into an interest-bearing escrow account, over a reasonable period,
an amount of money not to exceed the cost of the restorations (the interest on
the account accrues to the resident).
Example: A resident installs bathtub grab bars with reinforcement in the wall (with
permission of management). Management may ask the resident to remove the grab
bars at move-out, but leave the wall reinforcement.
WHO PAY$?
Accommodations – The rental housing provider, condominium or homeowner
association is responsible for ensuring general access to the housing facility and for
meeting minimum accessibility code standards. Most reasonable accommodations are
no or low cost. The housing provider is required to cover accommodation costs that do
not amount to an "undue financial and administrative burden." Housing providers may
not require people with disabilities to pay extra fees or deposits as a condition of
receiving a reasonable accommodation or modification.
Modifications – Generally, the resident will cover the expense
of making reasonable structural modifications to a property.
However, if the property receives federal funds, the housing
provider pays, unless there is financial and administrative
hardship.
How many requests? A person with a disability can make as many requests for
accommodations or modifications as necessary, whenever they are needed. The
housing provider should consider each request promptly.
Fees for requests? A housing provider cannot require people with disabilities to pay
extra fees or deposits as a condition of receiving a reasonable accommodation.
Example: A manager cannot charge a pet deposit for a service animal.
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PROVIDE VERIFICATION, IF NECESSARY
The housing provider may ask for written verification that the person
who needs the accommodation or modification has a disability. The
person making the request may be asked to verify that the
accommodation or modification is necessary for that person to
have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the housing.
A verification letter may be provided by a doctor or other qualified medical
professional, a peer support group, a non-medical service agency, or a reliable third
party who is in a position to know about the individual's disability.
• If a person's disability and the need for the accommodation is obvious, the person
will not need to provide verification. Examples: A resident who obviously has low
vision asks for the tenancy rules in large print. Or an applicant with a state disabled
parking permit asks for a reserved parking space near his front door.
• If the disability is obvious, but the need for the accommodation is not clear, the
housing provider may ask for written verification that the accommodation is
necessary. Example
: Someone who is clearly deaf asks for a reserved parking
space near his front door. There's no clear connection between the deafness and a
parking space, so the resident will need to show that the parking space is needed
(maybe for another disability).
• If neither the disability nor the need for the accommodation are obvious, the housing
provider may ask for verification that the person has a disability and a disability-
related need for the accommodation requested. Example: A resident does not have
an obvious disability, and wants to have a service animal live with her. She may
need to provide a letter verifying that she has a disability and that she needs the
service animal for her disability condition.
Confidentiality: Whether in casual conversation or during the interactive process,
sometimes a person may share information about his or her disability, medical
treatment, or details about tasks a service animal does. The housing provider must
keep this information confidential and not share it, except with management employees
who need to make a decision to grant or deny a reasonable accommodation request.
DISCUSS YOUR REQUEST
The housing provider may need to discuss a request with the
resident. Sometimes the particular accommodation requested may
be difficult, time-consuming or expensive to provide, and the
housing provider might suggest alternate accommodations that
could work just as well. If the accommodation requested is the only one that will work,
be prepared to explain why. Have a back-up plan in mind and be willing to discuss
alternatives. The housing provider should tell the resident if they decide to deny the
request, and offer an opportunity for the person to request an alternative.
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The housing provider should consider each request on a case by case basis.
Management is expected to provide prompt responses to accommodation requests. An
undue delay in responding may be seen as a denial of the requested accommodation.
The resident may then want to seek legal assistance or to file a complaint with a fair
housing agency.
The housing provider can:
offer to move a resident to a different (more accessible) unit instead of allowing a
modification in the person's current unit (but cannot insist that the person moves).
require that a modification to a common area (or to the inside of a unit that will not
need restoration) be done to their design, if it still meets the resident's needs and
does not amount to any additional cost.
require that whoever does the work on a modification is reasonably able to do so in
a workmanlike manner and that all necessary building permits are obtained.
require that the contractor be licensed, bonded, insured, etc.
at move-out, require the resident to restore the inside of the unit to its previous
condition when it is reasonable to do so. (If the modification will not affect the next
resident’s use of the rental, it does not need to be restored to the way it was at
move-in).
in certain limited circumstances, require that the resident deposit money into an
interest bearing account to ensure that funds are available to remove modifications
and restore the interior of a dwelling to its previous condition.
The housing provider cannot:
require a resident to use more costly materials for a modification just to satisfy their
design preferences, unless the housing provider pays the additional costs.
require that a resident get additional insurance or increase the security deposit
before they will allow an accommodation or modification.
insist that a particular contractor perform the modifications.
require that a resident restore modifications made to the outside of the unit, such as
ramps to the front door of the dwelling, or modifications made to building entrances
or common areas.
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TROUBLESHOOTING: WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
If you have followed the process outlined in this booklet and you met problems along
the way, there are various steps you can follow. Here are some problem areas to watch
out for, and what you can do to resolve them:
Problem
Solution
You made a verbal request,
and the manager insists you
put the request in writing.
It's a good idea to put requests in writing, because then you and
management have a record of what you asked for. If you submit a
verbal request, make a note for yourself about the date, who you
spoke to, and what you asked for.
Management says you must
tell them exactly what kind
of disability you have.
You do not have to share any detailed information about what sort
of disability you have, or any other medical details. Tell
management about the guidebook "Reasonable Accommodations
& Modifications for People with Disabilities" available online at
www.kingcounty.gov/exec/CivilRights/FH/HPresources.aspx.
The manager wants written
verification of your disability,
even though it is obvious.
If you have a disability that anyone can see, rental management
does not need written proof that you're disabled. Tell
management about the guidebook above.
The manager will not
discuss your request with
you.
Not every request needs discussion – sometimes management
can go ahead and provide the accommodation. If you need to talk
with management about the request details and the manager
refuses, you may need to contact the manager's supervisor or
send a letter to the property owner or the management company.
Tell management about the guidebook above.
Management says the
verification letter is not good
enough.
Sometimes a doctor or other professional working with you will
write a letter that's not specific enough. For example, when a
letter says "David will benefit from this accommodation," it does
not indicate the disability-related necessity.
One option is to use the verification form in Appendix F. The
verification letter should clearly confirm that you have a disability
and that there is a disability-related need for the requested
accommodation.
You requested an
accommodation several
days or weeks ago and
nothing has been done.
Follow up and ask about the status (is there a decision, who's
reviewing, etc.). Management should consider your request and
grant it promptly if it's reasonable. If there is a delay they cannot
control, they should let you know why it's taking so long. Tell
management about the guidebook above.
Management provided you
with a reserved parking
space, but does nothing
when others park there.
When management provides accommodations, they must follow
through by making sure the accommodation continues to work for
you. This is especially true for reserved parking spaces – the
manager must enforce the rule that only you can park there.
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RESOURCES
Remember, anyone can contact a civil rights agency at any time
with questions about reasonable accommodations or modifications.
If you have any questions about your rights and responsibilities under
the fair housing laws, contact a fair housing agency in your area listed
in Appendix A (page 10). These agencies offer good information for
accommodation ideas, funding resources, access codes, etc.
If the process described in this booklet was followed and management did not respond,
took too long to respond, or denied a reasonable request, a person may need to
consider filing a fair housing complaint with a civil rights enforcement agency.
For more information about your rights under fair housing laws, see
www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/yourrights.cfm.
# # #
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FAIR HOUSING AGENCIES IN WASHINGTON STATE
FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
U.S. Dept. of
Housing & Urban
Development
Fair Housing
909 First Avenue
Suite 205
Seattle, WA
98104-1000
Washington State
Human Rights
Commission
711 S. Capitol Way
Suite 402
Olympia, WA
98504-2490
King County
Office of Civil
Rights
Chinook Building
401 Fifth Avenue
Suite 215
Seattle, WA
98104-1818
Seattle Office for
Civil Rights
810 Third Avenue
Suite 750
Seattle, WA
98104-1627
Tacoma
Human Rights
747 Market Street
Room 836
Tacoma, WA
98402-3779
206-220-5170
800-877-0246
TTY 206-220-5185
Fax 206-220-5447
360-753-6770
800-233-3247 in WA
TTY 800-300-7525
Fax 360-586-2282
206-263-2446
TTY Relay: 711
Fax 206-296-4329
206-684-4500
TTY 206-684-4503
Fax 206-684-0332
253-591-5151
TTY 253-591-
5153
Fax 253-591-5050
www.hud.gov/local/
sea/seafhome.html
www.hum.wa.gov
www/kingcounty.gov/
civilrights
www.seattle.gov/
civilrights
www.cityoftacoma.
org/humanrights
Protected Classes
Race
Color
National Origin
Religion
Sex
Disability
Familial Status
Protected Classes
Race
Color
National Origin
Creed
Sex
Disability
Familial Status
Marital Status
Sexual Orientation
(incl. gender identity)
Veteran/Military Status
Protected Classes
Race
Color
National Origin
Religion
Gender
Disability
Familial Status
Marital Status
Sexual Orientation
(incl. gender identity)
Age
Section 8
Ancestry
Use of a Service or
Assistive Animal
Protected Classes
Race
Color
National Origin
Religion/Creed
Sex
Disability
Parental Status
Marital Status
Sexual Orientation
Gender Identity
Age
Section 8
Political Ideology
Veteran/Military
Status
Protected Classes
Race
Color
National Origin
Religion
Sex
Disability
Familial Status
Marital Status
Sexual Orientation
Gender Identity
Age
Ancestry
Veteran/Military
Status
File within 1 year
Jurisdiction:
United States
File within 1 year
Jurisdiction:
Washington
File within 365 days
Jurisdiction:
Unincorporated
King County
File within 1 year
Jurisdiction:
City of Seattle
File within 1 year
Jurisdiction:
City of Tacoma
FAIR HOUSING ADVOCACY, EDUCATION & OUTREACH ORGANIZATIONS
In Western Washington:
Fair Housing Center of Washington
1517 S. Fawcett Avenue, Suite 250
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-274-9523, 888-766-8800 (toll free),
Fax 253-274-8220 www.fhcwashington.org
In Eastern Washington:
Northwest Fair Housing Alliance
35 West Main Avenue, Suite 250
Spokane, WA 99201
509-325-2665, 800-200-FAIR (in 509 area code),
Fax 509-325-2716 www.nwfairhouse.org
RETALIATION: Fair housing laws prohibit retaliation – an act of harm by anyone against a person who has asserted
fair housing rights (by making an informal discrimination complaint, filing a civil rights complaint, or being otherwise
involved in an investigation).
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Fair housing laws are subject to change. The federal Fair Housing Act, state and
local fair housing laws exempt certain housing from coverage. For questions,
contact each agency concerning the laws that agency enforces.
SECTION 8 ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT
In addition to the City of Seattle and unincorporated King County, the following cities enforce local
ordinances prohibiting housing discrimination based on participation in the Section 8 Program:
• City of Bellevue -- To file a complaint, contact Code Compliance, 425-452-4570
email: codecompliance@ci.bellevue.wa.us
web: www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/reportproblem.htm
• City of Kirkland -- To file a complaint, contact Code Compliance, 425-587-3225
email: codecompliance@ci.bellevue.wa.us
web: www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/planning/Code_Enforcement.htm
• City of Redmond -- To file a complaint, contact Code Compliance, 425-556-2474
email: codeenforcement@redmond.gov
web: www.redmond.gov/Residents/CodeEnforcement/
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APPENDIX B – COMMON DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS & MODIFICATIONS
Under fair housing laws, housing providers must accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants and residents who have disabilities. A
reasonable accommodation is an adjustment in rules, procedures or services that gives a person an equal opportunity to use and enjoy their
dwelling and common areas. A reasonable modification is a change in a dwelling or common areas (usually at the resident’s expense) that is
needed to live comfortably and safely. Do not ask applicants or residents if they have a disability, for details about the condition, or to see
medical records. If unaware of the person’s disability status or need for the accommodation/modification, it is okay to ask for third-party
verification that the person has a disability and that the request will address the person’s disability needs. *
Vision Disabilities
Hearing
Disabilities
Cognitive
Disabilities
Physical Disabilities
Psychiatric
Disabilities
Environmental
Disabilities
Allow a guide dog.
Read notices aloud
or put them in large
print or in Braille.
Provide ample
interior and exterior
lighting.
Provide large print or
Braille numbers on
doors.
Provide documents
in electronic format.
Remove objects that
protrude into
hallways and
pathways.
Put non-slip, color-
contrast strips on
stairs.
Provide a
doorbell signaler.
Provide a visual
smoke alarm
system.
For phones in
common areas,
add voice
amplification.
Install a TTY in
the rental office.
Provide sign
language
interpreters for
important
meetings.
Allow a service
animal.
Explain the rental
agreement and
tenancy rules.
Write application,
rental agreement
and notices in
clear, simple
terms.
Show how to use
appliances.
Provide simple
door locks or
security systems.
Provide a monthly
reminder that the
rent is due.
Show location of
the water shutoff
valve and explain
when to use it.
Make sure the on-site rental office is
accessible.
Allow a live-in personal care
attendant.
Provide lever door handles and
automatic door closers.
Clear shrubs from pathways and trim
to low height.
Insulate exposed kitchen and
bathroom pipes.
Install anti-skid tape on floors and
stairs.
Upon request, move resident to a
lower floor.
Allow modifications:
wider doorways
ramps
grab bar installation
lower closet rods
lower thermostat.
Move a resident to
a quieter unit, upon
request.
If an applicant
misses a deadline
because of the
disability, return the
application to the
waiting list upon
request.
Allow a service
animal.
Allow a third party
payee.
Upon request,
notify an authorized
third party of
compliance issues.
Use non-toxic
fertilizers and
cleaning
products.
Allow removal of
carpet from the
rental.
Remove the
ballast on
fluorescent
lights.
Post “no
smoking” signs
in common
areas.
Consider a “no
smoking” rule for
an entire
building.
* The documentation that can be requested is a letter of verification from a doctor or other medical professional, or other qualified third party who, in their
professional capacity, has knowledge about the person’s disability and the need for reasonable accommodation. For more information, see the joint HUD and
Dept. of Justice guidance memo on reasonable accommodations online at www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/joint_statement_ra_5-17-04.pdf.
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APPENDIX C – ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Resident Parking – If parking is provided for residents, it is a reasonable
accommodation to provide reserved accessible spaces for residents with disabilities.
The standard accommodations process can be used for accessible parking
requests. If a resident has a state disabled parking permit, this is generally sufficient
proof of the need for a reserved accessible parking space.
Many people who need an accessible parking space do not need an extra-wide
space with an access aisle – they often need only a regular-size parking space
nearest to their front door or on the most accessible route to the front door. Discuss
your specific parking needs with your housing provider.
Even if parking spaces are not normally assigned, a reserved parking space should
be provided to a resident with a disability.
The housing provider should post a sign at the head of the parking space noting that
the spot is reserved, so that others do not park there. Vendors and other residents
should be alerted that these spaces are off-limits.
Housing providers should strictly enforce a resident’s reserved accessible parking
space, and be prompt in responding to complaints when others park there.
Guest Parking – If guest parking is provided near the rental office, some of those
spaces must be accessible.
Housing providers should locate at least one accessible guest parking space near
an on-site rental office, with an accessible route from the parking to the office.
Guest parking is subject to ADA Title III rules, which require that at least 2% of all
guest spaces in each lot meet access requirements and be designated with
appropriate signage. These spaces must be at least 96" wide and must have an
adjacent striped access aisle at least 60" wide. An access aisle can be shared
between two accessible parking spaces. At least one of these spaces must be van
accessible, with a 96" access aisle. Vendors should be alerted that these spaces are
off-limits.
Housing providers should strictly enforce accessible guest parking spaces, and be
prompt in responding to complaints when others park there.
Cooperative housing and condominiums – Sometimes a governing board or owners
group has only limited control over parking spaces. Boards should assist within their
means to the person seeking a parking accommodation. If another resident owns the
desired space, the two owners can negotiate a swap.
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APPENDIX D – SERVICE ANIMALS
When an applicant or resident who has a disability requests to live with a service
animal, the usual accommodation process can be used. It is a reasonable
accommodation to allow residents to live with service animals that meet their disability-
related needs.
Service animals are not pets. A person with a disability uses a service animal as an
auxiliary aid – similar to the use of a cane or wheelchair.
Service animals should be permitted despite "no pet" rules.
While the most common service animals are dogs, they may include cats, birds, or
other common domestic animals. “Therapeutic companion” animals are considered
to be service animals, if they are required to meet a disability-related need.
Service animals may be any breed, size or weight. A housing provider should not
apply pet size or weight limitations to service animals.
Service animals need no special license or visible identification. Some owners of
service animals choose to put special collars or harnesses on their animals. If city or
county laws require pet licenses for dogs and cats, rental management can require
licensing for service dogs or cats. In some cases, such licenses are free or
discounted for service animals.
Service animals need no “certification.” A person may train his or her own service
animal.
Housing providers should not charge owners of service animals any pet deposits or
fees. They can charge general cleaning or damage deposits, if all residents are
similarly charged. The service animal’s owner is responsible for the animal’s care
and liable for any damage the animal causes.
Because service animals provide different types of assistance, in some cases a
person with a disability may require more than one service animal.
For more information, see the Sample Policy on Service Animals available from the Fair
Housing Partners of Washington State.
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APPENDIX E – SAMPLE LETTERS FOR RESIDENTS
NOTE: You are not required to disclose the exact nature of your disability with the
landlord, manager, condo board or homeowner association. However, you may share
that information if you wish and if you believe it will assist them in providing you with
reasonable accommodations.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST – ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Dear Manager:
I live at the Evergreen Apartments at 123 N. Main in unit #A-1. I (or a member of my
household) have a mobility disability and use a Washington state disabled parking
permit. I have enclosed a photocopy of my state parking permit.
As an accommodation for my disability, I request that you provide me with a reserved
accessible parking space nearest to the front door of my unit. I need a regular size
parking space with no extra access aisle. I believe that the parking space at the end of
the row nearest the mailboxes on the north side of Building 3 would be the best spot for
me to access my apartment unit.
Please respond in writing to my request for a reasonable accommodation within a week.
I look forward to your response and appreciate your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, (resident name)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST – LARGE PRINT
Dear Manager:
I live at the Evergreen Apartments at 123 N. Main in unit #A-1. I (or a member of my
household) have low vision and need written materials in large print form (at least 20
point type).
As an accommodation for my disability, I request that you provide me with a large print
copy of the lease, tenancy rules, safety rules, resident notices, and other printed
materials given to residents or posted on the grounds.
Please respond in writing to my request for a reasonable accommodation within a week.
I look forward to your response and appreciate your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, (resident name)
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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST – SERVICE ANIMAL
Dear Manager:
I live at the Evergreen Apartments at 123 N. Main in unit #205. I (or a member of my
household) am a person with a disability.
Our building's rules state a "no pets" policy. Because of my disability, a doctor has
prescribed a service animal to assist with my daily living.
I am requesting that you make a reasonable accommodation in the building's rules to
permit me to have a service animal in my apartment. My service animal is a golden
Labrador retriever.
Please respond in writing to my request for a reasonable accommodation within a week.
I look forward to your response and appreciate your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, (resident name)
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
REASONABLE MODIFICATION REQUEST
Dear Manager:
I live at the Evergreen Apartments at 123 N. Main in unit #A-1. I (or a member of my
household) use a wheelchair.
As a reasonable modification for my disability, I request your permission to install grab
bars in the bathroom of my unit, near the toilet and inside the bath stall, at my expense.
I intend to hire Able Carpenters Company to do the installation, which will include wall
reinforcement to current state building codes. Joe Johnson at ACC is willing to discuss
this project with you, show you the blueprints and discuss any concerns you may have.
If you wish, I will have the grab bars removed when I vacate my unit.
Please respond in writing to my request for a reasonable modification within ten days. I
look forward to your response and appreciate your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, (resident name)
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APPENDIX F – GUIDANCE FOR HEALTH CARE
AND QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS:
Verifying Reasonable Accommodation and Modification Requests
Dear Health Care Provider or Qualified Individual:
Fair housing laws allow an individual who has a physical, mental, or sensory disability to
request that a housing provider grant him/her a reasonable accommodation (a change
in rules, policies, or practices) or reasonable modification (a structural change to a
dwelling). Once an applicant or resident has made a request, a housing provider may
ask that the person obtain written verification of disability and/or verification of the need
for the accommodation, if not obvious or known.
Verification of disability or need may come from a medical professional, peer support
group, non-medical service agency, or a reliable third party who is in a professional
position to have knowledge about the person’s disability and/or need for
accommodation. The verification should state that the person meets the fair housing
definition of disability and that the requested accommodation is necessary and is related
to the disability.
For the purposes of requesting a reasonable accommodation or modification in housing
in Washington state, disability is defined as “the presence of a sensory, mental, or
physical impairment that: (i) is medically cognizable or diagnosable or (ii) exists
as a record or history or (iii) is perceived to exist whether or not it exists in fact.”
Additionally, “a disability exists whether it is temporary or permanent, common or
uncommon, mitigated or unmitigated … or whether or not it limits any other activity….”
(RCW 49.60.040)
The verification should include the following items:
I. Qualification of person writing the verification letter.
II. Nature of relationship the professional has with the person making the request.
III. Statement that the person has a disability that meets the state definition above.
Important Note: Revealing a diagnosis puts an individual at risk of additional
discrimination. Before naming a specific diagnosis or category of disability, obtain
the person’s informed consent.
IV. Describe how the accommodation or modification requested is necessary to
afford the person the equal opportunity to access housing, maintain housing, or for full
use and enjoyment of the housing or housing related service. Because housing
providers must make only those accommodations or modifications that are necessary,
be sure to use words like: “necessary,” “essential,” “prescribed”; when describing that
the condition creates a need for the accommodation or modification. The role of the
verifier is to establish that the need derives from the disability.
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Sample Verification Letter
for Reasonable Accommodation or Modification
Re: John Smith’s request for a reserved accessible parking space near his apartment.
Please accept this correspondence as verification that:
I. I am a licensed medical doctor .
II. I have treated John Smith since May 2009 for a disability-related condition.
III. John Smith is a person with a disability as defined by the Washington Law
Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60).
IV. Designating a reserved accessible parking space adjacent to his apartment is
necessary to afford Mr. Smith the opportunity to access and fully use and enjoy
his home.
Please approve John Smith’s request for a reserved accessible parking space adjacent
to his apartment.
Signature: Dr. Leon Jones
Printed Name: Dr. Leon Jones
Professional Title: Physician
Name of Clinic, Hospital, Agency, etc.: Seattle Hospital
Address: 500 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone Number: 206-555-1212
Fax Number: 206-555-1234
Date: October 1, 2013
