28 CFR Part 35 · Subpart B — General Requirements
§ 35.135 Personal devices and services
Last updated June 11, 2026
Clarifies that entities are not required to provide personal devices or personal assistance services.
In Plain Language
Public entities are not required to provide personal devices like wheelchairs or hearing aids, or personal assistance services that are primarily for personal use rather than participation in a specific program. However, if the personal device or service is necessary to participate in a specific program offered by the entity, different considerations may apply. This section establishes a practical limit on the scope of accommodation obligations.
This summary is educational, not legal advice. The official text below controls.
Official Regulatory Text — 28 CFR § 35.135
Verbatim from 28 CFR Part 35, current through June 9, 2026.
This part does not require a public entity to provide to individuals with disabilities personal devices, such as wheelchairs; individually prescribed devices, such as prescription eyeglasses or hearing aids; readers for personal use or study; or services of a personal nature including assistance in eating, toileting, or dressing.
What § 35.135 Means in Practice
- You do not have to provide personal wheelchairs, personal attendants, or other devices someone uses in daily life generally
- If your program requires equipment that you provide to others, you may need to provide an accessible equivalent
- This limitation does not apply to auxiliary aids and services required for effective communication
- The line between 'personal device' and 'program-necessary accommodation' can be complex. Consult your ADA Coordinator
Common Questions
Do we have to provide a sign language interpreter as a personal service?
No, but if effective communication with a deaf participant requires an interpreter, that is an auxiliary aid under §35.160, not a personal service.
What if someone needs a personal assistant to participate in our program?
If personal assistance is necessary because of barriers in your program's design, it may be required. If it is purely a personal need unrelated to your program, it generally is not.
Does § 35.135 apply to your entity?
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