January 2009 Coach's Quiz

January 1, 2009

We have given you five rules on how to handle parking-related accommodation requests. Now let's look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the COACH'S QUIZ to see what you have learned.

INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the following questions has only one correct answer. On a separate piece of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you think is correct—for example, 1) b, 2) a, and so on.

COACH'S TIP: The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

We have given you five rules on how to handle parking-related accommodation requests. Now let's look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the COACH'S QUIZ to see what you have learned.

INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the following questions has only one correct answer. On a separate piece of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you think is correct—for example, 1) b, 2) a, and so on.

COACH'S TIP: The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

Several months after moving into your community, a resident tells you she is disabled and asks you to reserve for her an accessible parking space near her unit. You may deny the request because she didn't ask for the space when she moved in. True or false?

  1. True.

  2. False.

QUESTION #2

A resident says that she is disabled and needs a reserved parking space near her unit. The parking in that area is limited, and she has previously complained about having to park too far from her unit. She doesn't appear to have difficulty walking, so you may deny her request unless she gives you a doctor's note to prove that she is disabled and explain how her disability is related to needing the reserved parking space. True or false?

  1. True.

  2. False.

QUESTION #3

An applicant with a mobility impairment asks to be assigned an accessible space next to the building entrance. The space is currently assigned to another resident who is not disabled, so you must grant the applicant's request. True or false?

  1. True.

  2. False.

QUESTION #4

All residents pay a monthly fee for their parking spaces. You agree to create an accessible parking space by combining two spaces to accommodate a resident who uses a wheelchair, but you wonder how to charge her for parking. You should:

  1. Not charge her for parking because she is disabled.

  2. Charge her the same fee as you charge other residents.

  3. Double the fee because she is taking up two spaces.

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Coach's Answers & Explanations

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #3 applies here:

Rule #3: Grant Reasonable Requests for Disability-Related Parking Accommodations

You should follow your community's policies and procedures to evaluate whether to grant the requested parking accommodation. You may not deny the request simply because it was made several months after the resident moved into the community.

Wrong answer explained:

  1. The FHA does not require that a request be made in a particular manner or at a particular time, so it doesn't matter that the resident waited several months after moving into the community before making the parking request.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #2 applies here:

Rule #2: Don't Ask for Too Much Information

If the resident's disability is not obvious, you may request reliable information to verify that she meets the FHA's definition of disability, but it doesn't necessarily have to come from her doctor. Depending on the circumstances, HUD says that it may come from the individual herself or a reliable third party who is in a position to know about the resident's disability.

Wrong answer explained:

  1. The resident is not entitled to the parking accommodation unless she qualifies as an individual with a disability, but you should seek legal advice about what information you may lawfully request to verify that she is disabled.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #4 applies here:

Rule #4: Offer Alternatives When Requested Accommodation Is Unreasonable

The law does not require you to grant the applicant's request to force another resident to give up his assigned space, but you should discuss reasonable alternatives to accommodate the applicant's disability-related needs.

Wrong answer explained:

  1. A request to force another resident to give up his assigned space is considered unreasonable, regardless of whether the other resident is disabled. As a reasonable alternative accommodation, you may ask the other resident to exchange spaces with a disabled resident, or agree to give the applicant the desired space if the resident who currently has it moves out.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #5 applies here:

Rule #5: Do Not Impose Fees for Granting Parking Accommodation Requests

Communities may not require residents with disabilities to pay extra fees as a condition of receiving a reasonable accommodation, but fair housing law generally allows you to charge a disabled resident the parking fee required of other residents.

Wrong answer explained:

  1. You do not have to waive the parking fee required of all residents simply because the resident requests an accessible parking space as a reasonable accommodation for a disability.

  2. Even though two spaces are required to fulfill her request, you are not allowed to double her parking fee.

See The Lesson For This Quiz

How To Handle Special Parking Requests

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