Disability Support Services

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Persons with disabilities can and do succeed in their pursuit of higher education.

The mission of Disability Support Services is to guide and support institutional compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure equal access for students with disabilities of the Daytona Beach and Worldwide Campuses.

The University acknowledges the confidential nature of students’ disability-related information and records and ascribes to the federal guidelines (Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act) that mandate control of and restrict access to such information. Note: Unless specifically contraindicated by another title, the confidentiality requirements of Title I of the ADA apply to all titles.

View the Disability Support Policies and Procedures

Animals on Campus

Handler — A person with a disability that a service animal assists or a personal care attendant who handles the animal for a person with a disability.
 
Service Animals — Any “dog” individually trained to do work or perform task for the benefit of an individual with a disability and meets the definition of “service animal” under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations at 28 CFR 35.1047. The work or tasks performed must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Service animals are not therapy animals, nor are they pets.
**A miniature horse may qualify under particular circumstances set forth in the ADA regulations 28 CFR 35.136.
 
Owner — A student with a disability and an approved Assistance Animal
 
Assistance Animal — Is often referred to as an emotional support animal. This animal is one that is necessary to afford the person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy University housing. An assistance animal may provide physical assistance, emotional support, calming, stability and other kinds of assistance. Assistance Animals do not perform work or tasks that would qualify them as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act. An assistance animal is not limited to dogs, however, ERAU reserves the right to exclude certain animals from campus.

The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees the right of persons with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals in all places of public accommodation when the animal is accompanied by the handler who indicates the service animal is trained to provide and does provide a specific service to them that is directly related to their disability.

*In general, ERAU will not ask about the nature or extent of a person’s disability and will not require documentation of proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animals. However when it is not readily apparent that an animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, ERAU can make two inquiries to determine whether the animal qualifies as a service animal.

**ERAU may not permit service animals when the animal poses a substantial and direct threat to health or safety or when the presence of the animal constitutes a fundamental alteration to the nature of the program or service.

*Specific questions related to an animal on campus can be directed to the Director of Disability Support Services via e-mail, dbdss@erau.edu or phone (386) 226-7916.

**Exceptions, considered on a case-by-case basis, could include areas that necessitate protective clothing, mechanical/facility equipment rooms, and areas that present a health or safety risk to the service animal.

Students who wish to bring a service animal to campus are strongly encouraged to partner with the Disability Support Services Office, especially if other academic accommodations are required. Additionally, students who plan to live in on-campus housing are strongly encouraged to inform Housing and Dining Services that they plan to have a service animal with them in student housing. Advance notice of a service animal for on-campus housing may allow more flexibility in meeting student’s specific requests for housing.

The service animal must “at all times” be under the control of the handler when outside of the handler’s personal residence.

Request for assistance animals on ERAU campus should be made by:

  1. A written request to the office of Disability Support Services
  2. Documentation of a disability diagnosis
  3. Documentation showing the link between the animal and the disability

Final decision of request will be made by DSS and decision will be forwarded to housing. Approved assistance animal in University Housing must also meet ERAU requirements/policies for animal health and behavior.

  1. Vaccinations; cost of care, arrangements and responsibilities for the well-being of the animal
  2. Any damage or injuries caused by their animals
  3. Property damage
  4. Clean up-after their animal's waste. Always carry equipment sufficient to clean up the animal’s feces whenever the animal is on campus. Proper disposal of animal waste must be immediate.

It is unacceptable for a service or assistance animal to exhibit:

  • Poor health, lack of cleanliness, and/or aggressive behavior
  • Disruptive behavior - properly trained service animals should be housebroken and completely socialized. A socialized animal has a good disposition, does not exhibit fear and is calm in the presence of another animal.
  • Disruptive noises (barks, growl) and is not aggressive.
  • Inability to be controlled/managed by the handler.

Animals may be ordered removed by ERAU Safety Officer for the following reasons:

  1. Out of Control Animal: A handler/owner may be directed to remove an animal that is out of control and the handler does not or cannot take effective action to control it. If the improper animal behavior happens repeatedly, the handler may be prohibited from bringing the animal into any university facility until the handler can demonstrate that s/he has taken significant steps to mitigate the behavior.
  2. Non-housebroken Animal: A handler/owner may be directed to remove an animal that is not housebroken.
  3. Direct Threat: A handler/owner may be directed to remove an animal that ERAU/DSS determines to be a substantial and direct threat to the health and safety of individuals. This may also include the presence of an animal in a sensitive area such as certain laboratories, mechanical or industrial areas.

*Where a service animal is properly removed pursuant to this policy, DSS will work with the handler to determine reasonable alternative opportunities to participate in the service, program or activity without having the service animal on the premises.

As with any unknown animal, one should never attempt to touch or interact prior to asking permission of the accompanying individual.

  • Do not pet a service animal. Petting distracts the animal from its work and could create a hazard for the person with a disability.
  • Do not feed a service animal. The animal may be on a prescribed diet; feeding it could cause the animal to become ill.
  • Do not tease or deliberately attempt to startle or frighten the animal.
  • Do not separate the person with a disability from his/her service animal for any reason.
  • Do not attempt to answer any questions related to animals on campus, but direct them to the office of Disability Support Services or Campus Safety.
Some people may have allergic reactions to animals that are substantial enough to qualify as disabilities. ERAU will consider the needs of both persons in meeting its obligations to reasonably accommodate all disabilities and to resolve the problem as efficiently and expeditiously as possible. Students requesting allergy accommodations should contact Disability Support Services.

Any person dissatisfied by a decision concerning a service animal or an assistance animal may appeal in writing through the Dean of Students office.

Questions regarding issues related to animals on campus may be directed to Disability Support Services at the Daytona Beach campus (386) 226-7916 or Campus Safety (386) 226-7233.

Contact Us

Disability Support Services (DSS)