HOA Medical Exemptions

An Association must comply with the laws of the land. Therefore, if the laws requires x for proof and the Association wants a copy of x but also requires y for proof, they are asking for more than the law requires. In my opinion, this is when they become "the heavy".

agree with the others, just get the proof as required by law (doctor letter, for example).

And although it's a slippery slope, I also tend to look at whether there are reasonable things the person can do to adjust for their "claim", and ask myself (and them) if they have done those things.

For instance: we know that cities have put in low rise curbs to make wheelchair access to and from sidewalks 'easy'. However, the city does NOT have to put a low rise curb in at every ten feet, or fifty feet. There may not be one on the corner directly across from the qwikimart, and instead, one must cross the street one block down to get there. The courts would rule that one block 'out of your way' is not unreasonable, and not force the city to install a low rise curb at x location. However, if the next one was a mile away, they might rule differently and require it. A block is reasonable, a mile, not so much.

Can the person with the skin problem use sunscreen instead of requiring us to build a $100,000 sun darkening room? That would be reasonable. Can they walk ten more feet from the parking spot we HAVE, instead of ripping out the curb and water fountain so they can park their car 2 feet from their door? That's reasonable. Could they install a bit of insulation in their walls, or close their windows when enjoying each other carnally? That seems reasonable.

When faced with such requests, I always seek to inform myself of what steps the person themselves have taken to deal with their "disability". Being informed of what has been done helps me understand how to do more even better. Without fail, the slackers show themselves easily. And those with "true" disabilities also show themselves with the depths of work they have done to overcome to this point as well.

Everyone has their own health issues. It's how one handles them that seems to make the difference...I once had a couple who were frequent offenders of letting their dog's go to the bathroom in our common area near our pool. No one could use the area. I took action put up a wire fence and spread dog/cat repellant in the area. Posted a sign stating there was repellant in the area and NOT to allow pets there. Me and another neighbor even cleaned up the poo...Well the couple lived nearby and complained that the repellant I put down was causing them severe allergy problems! They wanted me to stop applying it due to their "Health concerns". Honestly, the stuff smelled for a couple of hours but washed away in the rain. It was only good for a few days...However, it seems the point was made as the area was no longer used as a dog potty area...

You kind of have to go with what works for each individual situation. We obeyed the federal laws by having handicap parking available at the clubhouse/pool area. After that, your living in the "real world" of making your own comfort unless the law says other wise....