Campus Accessibility Guide

About this Guide

Sonoma State University (SSU) offers a wide range of services to individuals with disabilities. This accessibility guide is intended to support individuals with disabilities to navigate safely through the SSU campus. This guide includes valuable information, such as locations of accessible parking, exterior paths of travel and accessible entrances to building facilities, along with policies, emergency evacuations procedures, evacuation assembly areas, and descriptions of the wide range of facilities and services available to faculty, staff, students and visitors with disabilities.

The information included in this guide is available online. Though this guide is intended to be comprehensive, you will additionally find references to the SSU on-campus offices and departments on campus that may be able to provide additional information or resources. We encourage you to contact any of these offices directly with any questions or concerns you may have regarding policies or accessibility issues. Although we have made every effort to include the most up-to-date policies and information, individual policies, office hours and services may change from time to time. Offices and departments responsible for the services/policies listed will be able to provide the most current information, which supersedes the information contained within this access guide.

Disability Services for Students

Disability Services for Students (DSS) ensures equal access to students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations and specialized support services, and by providing guidance to faculty, staff, and the campus community.

Office Hours & General Contact Information

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Chat: from DSS webpages

Phone number: (707) 664-2677 (dial 711 for Relay)

Fax number: (707) 664-3330

Email: disability.services@sonoma.edu

Payroll and Benefits

The Payroll and Benefits Office (Employee ADA) seeks to assist applicants and employees with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals in order to support performing the essential functions of the position safely and fully.

Office Hours & General Contact Information

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Phone number: (707) 664-2979 (dial 711 for Relay)

Fax number: (707) 664-4049

Email: hraccommodations@sonoma.edu

Transportation and Parking Services

Transportation & Parking Services is responsible for the management of the University's parking and transportation programs, including parking permit sales and distribution, parking enforcement, guest parking accommodations, event parking and traffic control, and customer service. Sonoma State University is committed to ensuring equitable access to campus.

Fee Permit Requirements

Pursuant to the California Education Code, §67301, vehicles displaying a valid disabled person’s placard or license plate must also display a university parking permit when parked on campus.

Disabled Parking

Disabled Placards/Plates

Vehicles parking on campus must display a valid disabled person’s placard or license plate issued by the California DMV, an out of state agency or by an international government agency. California DMV regulations and state law require drivers displaying placards or plates from out of state or international jurisdictions to obtain a California DMV placard or plate if they reside in California, although this does not affect the validity of the placard or plate issued by another jurisdiction.

University Disabled Permit

Faculty, staff, or students who are experiencing a temporary mobility limitation or are temporarily disabled may obtain a university-issued disabled persons permit that is valid on the campus of Sonoma State University only. These permits are valid for up to 30 days.

Students should contact Disabled Student Services to apply for a temporary University Disabled Permit. All required forms must be submitted directly to Disability Services for Students (DSS) for review and approval. Employees should contact Human Resources. University Disabled Permits are not transferable or renewable. Faculty, staff, or students who require a longer accommodation should contact the DMV for a longer-term disabled placard.

Designated Disabled Spaces

Spaces specifically for the use by vehicles displaying a valid disabled placard or plate, including spaces that are designated “Van Accessible”, are designated in all parking lots that are in close proximity to campus buildings.

Permissible Parking Areas

Vehicles displaying a valid parking permit and a valid disabled placard or license plate may park in any of the following types of spaces:

Disabled Spaces
General Spaces
Reserved Spaces
Housing Spaces
Timed Zones (Green only) (Vehicles may be parked longer than the posted time but must display a parking permit)

Vehicles displaying a valid disabled placard or license plate are prohibited from parking in the any of the following types of spaces without the proper permit or authorization:

State Vehicle Spaces (without Exempt license plates)
University Guest (without a University Guest permit)
Commercial Loading Zones (Yellow) (not permitted in excess of posted time limit and in non- commercial vehicle)
Special Reserved Spaces (including parking reserved for university executive personnel, Zipcar, or NCAA designated spaces)
Electric Vehicle Charging spaces (unless charging an EV as permitted by policy)
Marked No Parking Areas
Non-Designated Areas
University roadways or sidewalks

Accessible Parking Locations

There are accessible parking spaces available in the following parking lots and on the following map: https://map.sonoma.edu/?id=1960#!ce/57953?ct/56627,57953,58933?s/?mc/38.34056782583414,-122.67279286170384?z/17?lvl/0

Lot A
Lot B
Lot C
Lot D
Lot E
Lot F
Lot G
Lot L
Lot M
Lot O
All Residential Lots with the exception of R7

Ensuring Access to Disabled Parking for Students

SSU makes every effort to ensure students can access campus. Students who may need temporary disability parking can request this by submitting the Temporary Disability Parking Application to the Transportation and Parking Services office.

Individuals who may need temporary disability accommodations can place a request through the DSS office by completing the Temporary Disability Accommodation Request Form.

Hours of Operation

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Phone number: (707) 664-4321

Email: parking@sonoma.edu

Website: parking.sonoma.edu

Parking Information Booth Hours of Operations

In-person assistance with directions, parking regulations, and purchasing daily parking permits can be obtained by visiting the Parking Information Booth at the south entrance to campus.

South Booth Hours:

Fall & Spring Semester Hours (Excluding Spring Break and Intersession)

Monday to Thursday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm

Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

Summer & Semester Break Hours

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Saturday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

Sunday, Closed

Access to and from Campus

Public Transit

Sonoma State University is proud to partner with Sonoma County Transit to provide free bus service to all SSU students! This transportation subsidy is paid, in part, with parking fine revenue as part of our alternative transportation programming. There are no special passes needed, just show your current student identification. The SSU campus is served by routes providing local service within Rohnert Park and Cotati (route 10) and intercity routes providing connections to the campus from Sebastopol (routes 26 and 52), Petaluma (route 44) and Santa Rosa (routes 44 and 46). Routes 26, 44, 46 and 52 provide service between the campus and the Cotati SMART station on East Cotati Avenue.

For more information, please visit the Sonoma County Transit webpage to plan your trip. For real-time bus arrival information, download the “NextBus” app available on the Apple App store or Google play.

Zipcar at SSU

Zipcar is car-sharing, an alternative to car ownership that gives members 24/7 access to vehicles parked at Sonoma State University. Membership is required in order to use the Zipcars. After signing up, members with have access to vehicles on campus at low hourly and daily rates which include gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles per day. Members can reserve cars online or with a smartphone for as little as an hour or up to seven days by going to the Zipcar website.

The designated pick up and drop areas for the Zipcars are located in the two spaces at the northwest corner of D lot adjacent to the University Police building. Just look for the Zipcars signs.

Service Animals

Service Animals are permitted to accompany their owner or trainer anywhere on University Property, except in areas and situations where it is unsafe to do so or where the presence of the animal fundamentally alters the nature of the service, program, or activity (California Civil Code § 54.2.) e. If personal protective equipment (PPE) is required of personnel in teaching and research laboratories, then Service Animals entering laboratories must be similarly protected depending on the PPE requirements of the area. The Animals on Campus policy can be found on the University website: https://policies.sonoma.edu/policies/animals-campus.

Use of a Service Animal on University Property may not be challenged except if the use of the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of other persons, or if the presence of the Service Animal will result in a fundamental alteration of the service, program, or activity involved.

Only two questions may be asked of an individual with a Service Animal:

Is the animal required because of disability?
What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

DSS will have a procedure for the management and support of service animals for students. Human Resources will be responsible for the management and approval of service animals for employees.

Emergency Blue Light Phones

Dedicated emergency phones can be found at various outdoor locations throughout campus. These phones are push-button operated and are topped by distinctive blue lights for easy identification. They provide a direct connection to the Sonoma State University Police Department and should be used to report suspicious activity, crimes in progress or any emergency situation. A dispatcher will identify the location of the phone being used (even if nothing is said by the user) and will dispatch police personnel as necessary.

Emergency phones are also located in all campus elevators. Dialing 9-1-1 on any campus phone will also connect the user directly to Sonoma State University Police Department. A link to the campus map is available here: https://map.sonoma.edu/?id=1960#!ce/57970?ct/56635,57971?s/?mc/38.34056782583593,-122.67279286170452?z/16?lvl/0.

Emergency Notification System

The emergency notification system was developed for colleges, universities and businesses. Designated account managers in Risk Management and Safety Services, Strategic Communications, and SSU Police Department, are able to send text messages to cell phones* communicating critical campus information and updates to students, faculty and staff in real-time. For that reason, all students, faculty and staff have been opted-in.

* All mobile phone numbers entered into PeopleSoft are automatically uploaded to the system daily. In order to receive the messages, it is critical that ALL members of the campus community (students, faculty and staff) log in to MySSU via online services to either review OR update information:

Once in Online Services click Main Menu in top blue bar
Click Self Service
Click Personal Information
Click Phone Numbers and update or add your Mobile number
Click Save to update the information

Small Print

SSU will not use the service for non-emergency messages and the ENS vendor does not share any information with others. Message and data rates may apply. Text messages are sent on an as-needed basis. This service is provided per the ‍‍Terms of Use‍‍ and ‍‍Privacy Policy‍‍. SSU does not charge for this service, however, your mobile phone company may charge for text messages. Please refer to your mobile phone's service plan for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ENS?

*All mobile phone numbers entered into PeopleSoft are automatically uploaded to the system daily. In order to receive the messages, it is critical that ALL members of the campus community (students, faculty and staff) log in to MySSU via online services to either review OR update information:

Once in Online Services click Main Menu in top blue bar
Click Self Service
Click Personal Information
Click Phone Numbers and update or add your Mobile number
Click Save to update the information

Why were you opted-in?

For safety reasons, as many people as possible must be reachable quickly, requiring access to students, faculty and staff cell phone numbers. Because of this, students, faculty and staff were opted-in.

How do users opt-out?

To opt-out, text STOP SSU to 23177 or 63079.

How do I opt-in if I am on campus but am not an employee or a student?

Various groups on campus (i.e. the Bookstore, Associated Students, Center for Distributed Learning, etc.) are not Sonoma State programs, yet they reside on campus and therefore must be informed on emergencies. To opt in, text SSUALERT to 67283 to opt-in to the emergency notification system.

Are there other ways to get updates during emergencies?

During emergencies ENS is the primary mechanism that will be utilized to distribute information. Secondarily, SSU's official Facebook and Twitter sites will also be used during large scale emergencies. Students, faculty and staff may want to "Like" SSU's official Facebook site or follow the University on Twitter.

Rave Guardian Safety Application

As a part of Sonoma State University’s ongoing commitment to campus safety, the Office of Emergency Services has launched Rave Guardian, a free mobile app that turns any smartphone into a personal safety device. The Rave Guardian App is a new campus safety app that offers students, parents, faculty, and staff enhanced personal safety both on and off campus.

How does the Rave Guardian App work?

Register and set up an account: Users can add their name, campus address, medical notes and other pertinent information for campus safety in case of emergency.

Easy Emergency Communication: In an emergency, a one button call to campus safety officials will display the user's Guardian profile and current location.

Add & Message Guardians: By adding roommates, friends, and family to their network, users can feel safer when walking alone, on or off campus. Guardians can also be messaged directly through the app.

Set a Safety Timer: In the event a student feels unsafe, they can set a timer with their current location, indicating where they are going and when they should arrive. In the event they do not make it there and de-active the timer, Guardians or campus safety will be immediately alerted.

Download the Rave Guardian Safety Application

Step 1: Download the app from the Apple AppStore or Google Play Store by searching "Rave Guardian" in the store

Step 2: Enter your email address and phone number to join Sonoma's State Rave Guardian application

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

Evacuation of any campus building may be ordered due to fire, structural damage, or any other hazard recognized by an authorized University employee or emergency responder. Generally, evacuation will be ordered through public announcement, emergency notification, or activation of the fire alarm. Fire alarms in non-residential campus buildings include sirens, horns, or other loud alerts and strobe lights placed throughout corridors and in all classrooms.

State law mandates that all persons not responding to the emergency evacuate the building when an alarm sounds or when an evacuation is ordered by fire or police personnel.

Evacuation Procedures

Upon the sounding of a fire alarm or other evacuation order, all persons are to gather their belongings (if it is safe to do so) and proceed, in an orderly manner, to the nearest emergency exit. If you encounter a closed fire door without a knob, handle, or push bar to open it, turn around and proceed to the marked exit. Do not use elevators.

If you are unable to self-evacuate due to injury, disability, or other functional need, proceed to the nearest exit or stairwell, if possible, and call 911 to advise University Police of your location and need for assistance. Wait as long as it is safe to do so. If you are able to evacuate but are aware of the location of someone else unable to evacuate, notify an emergency responder when you are clear of the building or call 911.

Evacuate at least 50 feet from the building. If you see smoke or flame or are aware of a threat within the building, evacuate at least 100 feet from the building.

Emergency Evacuation Signs

Signs should be posted by each elevator, with a floor plan indicating the location of exit stairways and the location of the closest Area of Refuge, if any. If you need assistance in identifying evacuation routes for campus buildings or to find out who is the designated floor marshal for a particular location please contact Risk Management and Safety Services (emergency@sonoma.edu) or (707) 664-3408.

Identification of Evacuation Aides or Assistance

On a college campus, students and employees frequently move between buildings and are in the company of different people day to day. This makes the pre-designation of evacuation aides more challenging. However, persons with disabilities may consider asking a classmate, faculty or staff member, or other person they see on a frequent basis to assist them in the event of an evacuation. If possible, they should share any important information about their disability or other needs they may have during an emergency. Students are not required, however, to identify evacuation aides or share any information about their disability if they prefer. Serving as an evacuation aide is voluntary.

Employees who have a static work location should consider identifying an evacuation aide prior to an emergency or sharing their needs confidentially with their supervisor.

Whether or not an evacuation aide is identified in advance, persons with disabilities should be prepared to ask for specific assistance during emergency evacuation. Ideally, first responders, who have been trained in evacuation of disabled or injured persons, emergencies may arise quickly and require support from others.

Evacuation Procedures for Specific Disabilities

Mobility Impaired - Wheelchair

Persons using wheelchairs should evacuate using the nearest emergency exit. If it is not possible to get to an exit, then a wheelchair user should consider sheltering-in-place, or moving to an area of refuge (ideally near a stairwell or other exit) when the alarm sounds. If an evacuation aide is present, they may proceed to the emergency assembly area outside the building and tell the responding emergency personnel the location of the wheelchair user. If the wheelchair user is alone, the person should call 911 with their location and request emergency evacuation assistance.

If a stairwell landing is chosen as the area of refuge, please note that many campus buildings have relatively small stair landings, and wheelchair users are advised to wait until the heavy traffic has passed before entering the stairway.

Only trained, professional, emergency response personnel should conduct stairway evacuation of a wheelchair user. Only in situations of extreme danger should untrained people attempt to evacuate wheelchair users. Call 911 for assistance.

Mobility Impaired - Non Wheelchair

Persons with mobility impairments who are able to walk independently with a mobility aid may be able to negotiate stairs in an emergency with minor assistance. If there is no immediate danger (detectable smoke, fire, or unusual odor), the person with a mobility impairment may choose to stay in the building near exit stairs until emergency personnel arrive and determine if evacuation is necessary. In this case, the person with a mobility impairment should call 911 to alert them to their location and request further information to determine the necessity of evacuation.

Hearing Impaired

Buildings on campus are equipped with fire alarm strobe lights. Persons with hearing impairments may not hear audio emergency alarms and will need to be alerted of emergencies. Emergency instructions can be given to a hearing-impaired person by writing a short explicit note to evacuate. Students and employees with hearing impairments should verify the presence of a strobe light in all classrooms, offices, and areas they frequent. If a strobe alarm cannot be located, please contact Risk Management & Safety Services for further assistance or accommodation.

Visually Impaired

Most people with a visual impairment will be familiar with their immediate surroundings and frequently traveled routes. Since the emergency evacuation route could be different from the commonly traveled route, persons who are visually impaired may need assistance in evacuating. Students requiring assistance are encouraged to contact Disability Services for Students (DSS) to develop a personal evacuation plan.

Employees requiring assistance should discuss with their supervisor (or Department Chair for faculty) for help with developing a personal evacuation plan. If you have additional questions, contact Risk Management & Safety Services.

Assembly Areas

The University has designated assembly areas throughout the University where evacuees are to gather during a building evacuation. Common assembly areas allow for the provision of medical care if necessary, accounting for persons, and consistent dissemination of information.

Each building is designated a primary and a secondary assembly area. Proceed to the primary area closest to the exit you used or to the area designated by your class (for students) or departments (employees).

Evacuation Assembly Areas
Building	Primary Evacuation Location	Secondary Evacuation Location
Salazar Hall	Lawn north and Alumni Amphitheatre south	North: Lawn north of Wine Spectator Learning Center and International Hall South: Lawn south of Ives Hall
Stevenson Hall	Lawn north and lawn south between Stevenson and Darwin	North: Lawn north of Wine Spectator Learning Center and International Hall South: Lawn north and Alumni Amphitheatre south
Darwin Hall	Lawn north and Alumni Amphitheatre southeast	North: Lawn north of Salazar Hall South: Lawn south of Ives Hall
Schulz Information Center / Library	Lawn east between Stevenson and Darwin and lawn southwest	North: Lawn north of Salazar Hall South: Lawn south of Parking Lot D
Art Building	Lawn southwest	Lawn north of Wine Spectator Learning Center and International Hall
Children's School	Lawn north	Lawn east of Children's School
Carson Hall	Lawn north	Lawn southeast in front of Stevenson Hall
Nichols Hall	Lawn east	Lawn north of Wine Spectator Learning Center and International Hall
Student Health Center	Lawn east between Stevenson and Darwin	Lawn north of Salazar Hall
Recreation Center	Lawn east	Lawn south of Ives Hall
Student Center	Lawn east	Lawn south of Ives Hall
Ives Hall	Lawn west and lawn east	Lawn south of Person Theater
Person Theater	Lawn south	Lawn south of Ives Hall
PE / Field House	Lawn east / lawn west / lawn east on Juniper Lane	Northeast: Athletic fields south from Tennis Courts Southeast: Athletic fields south from Tennis Courts West: Lawn north of Salazar Hall
Facilities Services/ Building 49 / Baseball Clubhouse	West of Facilities Corp Yard	Lawn north of Pool
Green Music Center	South east in drop off lane	N/A
Residential Community Villages Cabernet and Zinfandel	Lawn west of Children's School	Parking Lot A
Residential Community Village Verdot	Lawn southwest of Schulz Information Center	Lawn south of Parking Lot D
Residential Community Village Sauvignon	Lawn south of Parking Lot D	Lawn southwest of Schulz Information Center
Residential Community Villages Beaujolais and Tuscany	Beaujolais lawn east of Alsace and west of Medoc	Athletic fields south from Tennis Courts

All Clear

Do not reenter a building following an evacuation until an emergency responder or University Official has issued the "all clear." Even when a fire alarm is no longer sounding, it may not be safe to reenter the building. If you are unsure, you can contact an emergency responder or call University Police at (707) 664-4444 for more information.

Evacuation Drills

Evacuation drills are held periodically for all campus buildings. The frequency of the drills depends on the type of building, its occupancy, and use. All buildings have a minimum of one drill per academic year. Drills can be challenging for persons with disabilities since they may be unable to self-evacuate and the absence of any real threat means that extraordinary efforts should not be taken to evacuate a person with a disability during a drill. The sounding of alarms can also be challenging for persons on the autism spectrum or for those with prior trauma. Most drills are conducted without advance notice to building occupants.

To ensure all students and employees with disabilities are prepared for evacuation but are not subjected to undue personal stress or injury, an accommodation can be made to allow them to opt out of participation in planned drills. For such an accommodation to be granted, the individual must meet with a staff member from Emergency Services to review evacuation procedures. Once complete, the individual will be notified of drills in advance so they can stay in the building during the drill without attempting evacuation or can plan to be in another location at the scheduled time.

Individual Building Information

Individual Building Plans are available on the Emergency Services website here: https://emergency.sonoma.edu/planning-operations/building-plans.

Emergency Campus Closure/Evacuation

A campus closure occurs when a decision has been made to close the campus due to a specific event which makes normal operations impossible or unsafe. The term “closure” may mean that academic buildings are closed and classes and operations are suspended but the residential community is still open. It may also mean that all campus facilities, even roads, are closed. When a campus closure announcement is made, SSU will communicate the scope and effect of the closure.

Closure Procedures

The university president or designees may authorize a closure of SSU. Closure will be defined as a suspension of official academic and operational activities, a closure and evacuation of all non-residential campus facilities, or a full closure, including evacuation of the residential community.

SSU will notify the campus community using the Emergency Notification System (ENS) upon confirmation of the decision to close the campus. The campus community should be prepared to follow the messaging as to how and when to begin exiting campus, if applicable.

Employees required to remain on campus after the official closure will be notified by their immediate supervisor or have been notified through existing department protocols.

Students and employees with disabilities may need additional time to evacuate campus if they rely on public transportation or means other than a parked vehicle to get to and from campus. If you are told to evacuate and do not have the means to safely leave campus, call SSUPD (707) 664-4444. The university will work with students and employees to determine how to best support any person who needs assistance during an evacuation.

Notice will be provided via ENS and/or campus email as to when campus will reopen.