Assessing Service Animals
New York Film Academy personnel must permit service animal access to an event or activity with its owner when it is readily apparent that the animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for its owner. Examples include a dog guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling an individual's wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability.
If the need for the service animal is not apparent, staff may only ask the following of service animal owners:
- Whether the service animal is required because of a disability; and
- What work or task the animal has been trained to perform.
If the owner states that the animal is required because of a disability and that the animal has been trained to do work or a task for the owner, then the service animal must be admitted. If there is any doubt that an animal is a service animal, Academy personnel should admit the animal and then consult with the SAS department regarding future access.
Service animal owners must not be asked about the nature of their disability or for medical documentation. Owners may not be asked for a special registration, identification card, license, or other documentation that the animal is a service animal, or to demonstrate the animal's ability to perform work or tasks.