[Libs-Or] Patron accommodation question

[Jim Jatkevicius]

ADA describes "Fundamental alteration" as "a change that is so significant that it alters the essential nature of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations offered. "

It seems to me as well that turning off Wifi on a regular basis to accommodate a single patron would disrupt what is, as pointed out, an essential service, as noted in the definition above.

Jim Jatkevicius, Adult Services Librarian
Forest Grove, OR 97116
jimj at wccls.org<mailto:jimj at wccls.org>
503 992-3248


________________________________
From: Libs-Or [libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] on behalf of Leah Griffith [leah.griffith at newbergoregon.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 1:30 PM
To: 'Kari May'; 'libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us'
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] Patron accommodation question

This was a question from a few years ago (I think I remember it was from Ted Smith, who’s now retired from Newport PL).   The consensus was that that turning off the wifi wasn’t a reasonable accommodation for this individual and that a variety of outreach activities were offered.   It’s a difficult situation, but wifi is an essential library service and turning it off on a regular basis (days and times) would not be reasonable.


Leah
Leah M. Griffith,  Director
Newberg Public Library       503.537.1256

From: Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Kari May
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 12:50 PM
To: libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: [Libs-Or] Patron accommodation question

We have a patron with the following request:


I suffer from a condition called Electro Hypersensitivity, also called microwave sickness. Many others also suffer from this condition (Alan DeBoer’s wife is one). When in the presence of a strong wifi signal, my symptoms of ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and headaches worsen.


I am requesting there are days and times when wifi is turned off for people like me. I LOVE reading and have checked out many books from the library.

Have any of you encountered similar requests? How would you handle this situation?

Kari May
Library Director
Jackson County Library Services
205 S. Central Ave. Medford, OR 97501
541-774-6401
[Jackson County Library Services Logo]


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