Policy
Lehigh University recognizes that individuals with disabilities may need parking- and/or transportation-related accommodations to allow them to access the buildings in which they work, live, and study. Lehigh University is committed to providing access to and within its campus for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended (ADAAA) and other relevant laws. Parking and transportation accommodations are accommodations approved by Disability Support Services (DSS) on an individual basis through an interactive process between DSS and the student. The accommodation must be supported by the documented effects of the student’s disability.
A parking accommodation allows a student to purchase a Lehigh University Disability Parking Permit for an assigned parking zone on the Lehigh University campus through the Transportation Services office. This accommodation does not exempt an approved student from having to pay for parking on campus. A transportation accommodation allows a student to utilize the accessibility shuttle on an on-demand or scheduled basis to access areas of campus that are not accessible through the regular transportation system.
Requesting a Parking Accommodation
Students with State-Issued Disability Placards
Students with state-issued disability placards or plates, should contact Parking Services directly at (610) 758-7275 or at inpark@lehigh.edu to apply for a permit. They do not need to register with DSS. More information can be found at Parking Services.
Students without State-Issued Disability Placards
To request a parking-related accommodation, students with either temporary or permanent disabilities should complete the Request for Parking or Transportation Accommodation form. Please note that the medical information provided by healthcare providers/clinicians in support of applications must include a diagnosis, a description of the functional limitations of the disabling condition as they relate to the major life activity impacted by the diagnosis, and suggested accommodation(s). There must be a direct link between the underlying condition and the requested parking accommodation. Once the request form and all relevant documentation are received, DSS will review the application and contact students to complete the interactive process. Upon approval, DSS will notify both the student and Parking Services via email. Parking Services will then contact approved students regarding next steps.
Lehigh-issued Disability Permits are valid in the disability spaces in the assigned parking zone at all times but do not permit students to park in Bethlehem city handicapped parking spaces. Lehigh-issued Disability Permits for the residential and commuter permit with evening and weekend privileges are valid in disability spaces in faculty/staff parking zones Monday through Friday after 4:00pm and on weekends.
Requesting a Transportation Accommodation
Lehigh’s on-campus transportation system features ADA-accessible buses which are scheduled at regular intervals at convenient campus locations. All buses are equipped with wheel-chair lifts. If negotiating steps is difficult, the lift can be activated to assist boarding and un-boarding of the bus upon request. In the event that the bus system does not allow students to fully access campus locations, students with temporary or permanent disabilities may be eligible for transportation services through the AccessLU, accessibility shuttle.
An individualized transportation plan utilizing AccessLU can be developed in consultation with the Disability Support Services office. During regular business hours, AccessLU is also available to transport approved users on demand to and from any campus location by calling 610-758-4410. After business hours, approved users may request on demand services by calling the AccessLU driver directly at 484-892-0413. More information about AccessLU is available at Accessibility Shuttle.
To request a transportation accommodation, including an individualized transportation plan, students with either temporary or permanent disabilities should complete the Request for Parking or Transportation Accommodation form.
Please note that the medical information provided by healthcare providers/clinicians in support of applications must include a diagnosis, a description of the functional limitations of the disabling condition as they relate to the major life activity impacted by the diagnosis, and suggested accommodation(s). There must be a direct link between the underlying condition and the requested transportation accommodation. Once the request form and all relevant documentation are received, DSS will review the application and contact students to complete the interactive process. Upon approval, DSS will notify both the student and Transportation Services via email. Transportation Services will then contact approved students regarding next steps.