Through HUD Section 504, OHA ensures that a “qualified” person with a handicap:
- Is afforded an opportunity equal to that afforded to others
- Is provided housing and benefits as effective as those afforded to others
- Is not provided different or separate housing or benefits unless necessary to provide the person with a handicap with housing and benefits that are as effective as those provided to others
What is a Reasonable Accommodation?
A reasonable accommodation is a change, exception or adjustment to a rule, policy practice or service that may be necessary for the person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to the Housing Authority’s programs and services.
What is the definition of a Person with a Disability?
A person with a disability is any person who:
- Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual; or
- Has a record of having such impairment; or
- Is regarded as having such impairment
What is OHA’s Staff Role and Responsibility?
OHA’s employees are responsible for ensuring that the agency does not discriminate against a person with a disability by refusing to make a reasonable accommodation that may be necessary to allow that person equal access under any of the programs administered by OHA.
Requesting Reasonable Accommodation
A reasonable accommodation request(s) may be made by or on behalf of a person with a disability to any OHA staff. If a participant or applicant indicates that an exception, change, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice or service is needed because of a disability, the OHA must treat that information as a request for a reasonable accommodation even if no formal written request is made.
Verbal requests are the most common types of requests. However, participants or applicants can complete our Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Form electronically. Be advised that if the participant or applicant does not complete the “Official RA form,” it does not negate or cancel out the fact that a reasonable accommodation request was made.
For more information, please contact:
Joetta Farrow
Leased Housing Department
1540 Webster Street
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 587-2100