Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities
 

The Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown is committed to providing individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from our programs, activities, and services.

Individuals may request reasonable accommodations from the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown that they believe will enable them to have such equal opportunity to participate in our programs, activities, and services. To request reasonable accommodations, contact the Fire Chief at (610) 286-6481 or station@geigertownfireco.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

The following FAQ provides information on requesting reasonable accommodations in Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown’s programs and activities.

1. What is a reasonable accommodation in Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown’s program?

• A reasonable accommodation is a change or modification to afford a qualified individual with a disability full enjoyment of Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown’s programs or activities, unless modifications of policies, practices, and procedures would fundamentally alter the nature of the program, service, or activity, or result in undue financial and administrative burdens to the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown.

2. How do I request a reasonable accommodation?

• If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Fire Chief at:
  • (610) 286-6481, or
  • station@geigertownfireco.com, or
  • the station at 3433 Hay Creek Rd., Geigertown, PA  19523.

3. Does my request for a reasonable accommodation need to be in writing?

• No, you do not need to put your request in writing, however, making a written request can be helpful documentation for ensuring that the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown provides the desired accommodation. In addition, you do not need to use the specific words “reasonable accommodations” when making your request.

4. When should I request a reasonable accommodation?

• You may request a reasonable accommodation from the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown at any time. However, making the request in advance of a meeting, conference call, or visit will help ensure that the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown is able to fulfill the request for an accommodation. For certain requests, such as requests for sign language interpretation, the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown requests at least two weeks advance notice.

5. May someone request a reasonable accommodation on my behalf?

• Yes, anyone can request a reasonable accommodation on behalf of an individual with a disability who seeks to interact with the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown staff or participate in its programs or activities.

6. What will the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown do upon receiving my request for a reasonable accommodation?

• The Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown may contact you to obtain more information about your request and to better understand your needs. In addition, the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown may review your request to determine:
  • Whether the requested accommodation will be effective in allowing you to participate in         the activity or program in which you are seeking participation;
  • Whether the requested accommodation is reasonable, or an equally effective alternative to the requested accommodation is available; and
  • Whether providing you with the requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown’s program or impose undue financial or administrative burdens on the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown.

In addition, in some cases, the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown may consult with you in an interactive process to determine on a case-by-case basis what accommodations can be made. If the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown determines that your requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of the program or impose an undue financial or administrative burden, the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown may deny your request. However, in the unlikely event that this occurs, the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown will work with you to identify an alternative accommodation that allows you to effectively participate in Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown programs, activities, or services.

7. May Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown request medical documentation from you after receiving your request for a reasonable accommodation?

• No, Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown may not request medical documentation after receiving your request for a reasonable accommodation. The Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown’s questions will be limited to understanding the barrier to your ability to participate in the program or activity in which you are interested and the nature of an accommodation that will remove this barrier.

8. May Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown charge you the cost of providing the reasonable accommodation?

• No, you are not responsible for the cost of an auxiliary aid or service the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown provides to you.

9. What are some examples of reasonable accommodations?

• There are many types of reasonable accommodations. Some examples of how Friendship Fire Company No. 1 of Geigertown provides reasonable accommodations include:
  • Interactive written and audio translation/transcription services
  • Arranging for qualified sign language interpreters
  • Producing alternate formats of print materials in braille, large print, all languages on the “I Speak …” Point to Your Language Card”, or in an electronic format
  • Providing remote conference captioning services
  • Furnishing a temporary ramp to access areas with one or more stairs to ensure accessibility for individuals who have physical disabilities and may be using a wheelchair or walker.

All such requests shall be acknowledged within two business days of receipt.  A response will be provided within two business days of the acknowledgment.