Bellingham Public Schools acknowledges its responsibility to permit students and/or adults with disabilities to be accompanied by a “service animal” as required by federal laws and Washington State’s law against discrimination. This policy governs the presence of service animals in the schools, on school property, including school buses and at school activities.
A “service animal” means an animal that is trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a disabled person’s sensory, mental or physical disability.
Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. Assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks,
B. Alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds,
C. Providing nonviolent protection or rescue work,
D. Pulling a wheelchair,
E. Assisting an individual during a seizure,
F. Alerting an individual to the presence of allergens,
G. Retrieving items, such as medicine or the telephone,
H. Providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and
I. Helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors.
The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort or companionship do not constitute work or tasks.
It is a civil infraction to misrepresent an animal as a service animal. A student’s parent/guardian who believes their student needs to bring a service animal to school or an employee who wishes to bring a service animal to school, must submit a written request to the building principal. The building principal, in consultation with the Section 504 coordinator or director of special services, as appropriate, will determine whether to permit the service animal in school. The principal shall not ask about the nature or extent of a person’s disability but may make two inquires to determine whether an animal qualifies as a service animal. The principal may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. The principal shall not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained or licensed as a service animal or require that the service animal demonstrate its task. The principal may not make these inquiries about a service animal when it is readily apparent that an animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
The superintendent will develop procedures to implement the policy.
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Policy 2029 – Animals as Part of the Instructional Program Policy 2161 – Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students Policy 2162 – Education of Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 Of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Policy 3210 – Nondiscrimination Policy 5010 – Equal Employment Opportunity |
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American Disabilities Act (ADA), Revised Title II Regulations, 35 Service animals Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 RCW 28A.642 Discrimination Prohibition RCW 49.60.040 Definitions WAC 162-26 Public accommodations, disability discrimination WAC 392-145-021(3) General operating requirements WAC 392-172A-01035 Child with a disability or student eligible for special education WAC 392-172A-01155(3) Related services WAC 392-190 Equal education opportunity – Unlawful discrimination prohibited |
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