Sample Letter From Health Care Provider Template (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

Definitions

The federal Fair Housing Act defines disability as “(1) a physical or mental

impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person’s major life

activities, (2) a record of having such an impairment, or (3) being regarded as

having such an impairment.” 42 U.S.C. § 3062(h).

The Maine Human Rights Act defines disability as “A physical or mental

impairment that: (1) Substantially limits one or more of a person's major life

activities; (2) Significantly impairs physical or mental health; or (3) Requires

special education, vocational rehabilitation or related services;” and people with a

record of such condition or who are regarded as likely to develop any such

condition.” This definition includes, “without regard to severity unless otherwise

indicated: absent, artificial or replacement limbs, hands, feet or vital organs;

alcoholism; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; bipolar disorder; blindness or abnormal

vision loss; cancer; cerebral palsy; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Crohn's

disease; cystic fibrosis; deafness or abnormal hearing loss; diabetes; substantial

disfigurement; epilepsy; heart disease; HIV or AIDS; kidney or renal diseases;

lupus; major depressive disorder; mastectomy; intellectual disability; multiple

sclerosis; muscular dystrophy; paralysis; Parkinson's disease; pervasive

developmental disorders; rheumatoid arthritis; schizophrenia; and acquired brain

injury.” 5 M.R.S.A. § 4553-A(1). A condition “significantly impairs physical or

mental health” when it has “an actual or expected duration of more than 6 months

and impair[s] health to a significant extent as compared to what is ordinarily

experienced in the general population.” 5 M.R.S.A. § 4553-A(1)(B).

The Maine Human Rights Act defines a service animal for the purposes of housing

as “An animal that has been determined necessary to mitigate the effects of a

physical or mental disability by a physician, psychologist, physician's assistant,

nurse practitioner or licensed social worker; or . .. An animal individually trained

to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a physical or

mental disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired

vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to intruders or sounds,

providing reasonable protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair or retrieving

dropped items.” 5 M.R.S.A. § 4553(9-E)

Sample Letter From Health Care Provider Template Page 2