Reasonable Accommodations

Disability: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), a person is considered to have a disability if

1. he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as, but not limited to, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, performing manual tasks, walking, caring for oneself, learning, major bodily function;
2. has a record of having such an impairment; or 
3. is regarded as having such an impairment.

Reasonable Accommodations: A reasonable accommodation is any change or adjustment to a job or work environment that permits a person with a disability to participate in the job application process, to perform the essential functions of a job or to enjoy benefits and privileges of employment equal to those enjoyed by staff without disabilities. For example, a reasonable accommodation may include, but is not limited to: acquiring or modifying equipment or devices, job restructuring, modified work schedules or removing readily achievable barriers.

Essential Function: It is important to note that employees must perform the essential functions of their jobs and meet all job-related requirements, with or without reasonable accommodations. What is reasonable by way of accommodation typically is a fact-specific inquiry informed by job requirements.

Any change in the work or classroom environment, in the way things are customarily done or in the application process that enables a person with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities. The three general categories of reasonable accommodation are changes to:

1. job application process to permit people with disabilities to be considered for jobs;
2. enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job; and
3. give people with disabilities equal access to the benefits and privileges of employment.

Resources:

• Reasonable Accommodation Interactive Process
• Reasonable Accommodation form for Faculty, Staff and Retirees
• Accessible Parking form for Faculty, Staff and Retirees
• Students seeking reasonable accommodation forms (Housing, Residual ACT, COMPASS Testing, Accessible parking permit application, general reasonable accommodations, etc.) should visit the website for Office of Student Disability Services
• Americans with Disabilities Policy