People with disabilities (like vision/speech/hearing disabilities, mobility disabilities, cognitive disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, medical conditions, etc.) may need reasonable accommodations (RA) to meaningfully access shelter programs and services.
What are examples of reasonable accommodations (RAs) that clients might need?
A few examples of RAs that patients might need are:
Help reading and completing forms
Sign language interpretation
Placement on the first floor or in a building with an elevator
Placement with accessible bathroom features (e.g., grab bars, shower chair)
Placement with wheelchair accessible bathroom
Placement with wheelchair accessible unit
Location-based placement (e.g., needing to be near medical providers)
Permitting an emotional support animal in shelter
The list above is non-exhaustive, there may be a different type of RA that a client needs. RA requests should be as specific as possible. For example, if you’re requesting accessible bathroom features on behalf of a client, you should specify what type of equipment/accessible feature they need.
How do I submit the reasonable accommodation request?
To submit a RA request, send the DHS Reasonable Accommodation Request form (DHS-13) and supporting documentation, if required, to the DHS Disability, Access and Functional Needs (DAFN) Unit at DAFNRARequests@dhs.nyc.gov and copy DHS-HCFReferral@dhs.nyc.gov. If the client is currently assigned to a shelter site, please include the Program Director on the email.
If a need for an RA is obvious/apparent (e.g., a client that uses a wheelchair needs a wheelchair accessible bathroom), supporting documentation is not required.
If the need is not obvious/apparent, supporting documentation (e.g., letters from treating physicians/clinicians, medical records) is required. Supporting documentation should speak to why the client needs the requested RA.
Is the HIPAA Authorization form required?
A HIPAA Authorization form is not required but is very helpful. It enables the review team to reach out if they need additional information or to help get documentation for a client if they need help. If you are submitting a HIPAA form along with the RA request form, please make sure that the HIPAA is filled out completely otherwise it’s invalid and cannot be used. When completing the section on page 2 that requires the provider’s information, be as specific as possible. Do not just include the name of the hospital. For more information and copies of forms, please visit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/dhs/about/applicants-and-clients-with-disabilities.page
Health care facilities can also reach out to the DSS Office of Disability Affairs (ODA) at disabilityaffairs@dss.nyc.gov with any disability- or medically related questions about accessing DHS services, including questions about the RA process.