Reasonable Accommodations

Office of Civil Rights and Diversity

Janet Bernal

EEO and Diversity Training Specialist

POC for Reasonable Accommodations
Ext. 2113
jbernal@peacecorps.gov

REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

Prohibits discrimination in employment

on the basis of disability, physical or
mental, and requires accommodations
for people with disabilities.

Disability

ADAAA (2008) defines/interprets disability very

broadly.

Definition: a physical or mental impairment that

substantially limits one or more major life activity, a
history or record of such an impairment, or being
regarded as having such an impairment, and the
impairment is not a transitory one (lasting or expecting
to last six months or less).

Major Life Activities

Caring for oneself
Performing
manual tasks
Seeing
Hearing
Eating
Sleeping
Walking
Standing

Lifting

Bending

Speaking

Breathing

Learning
Reading
Concentrating
Thinking
Communicating

Sitting
Reaching
Interacting with
others
Working

Examples of Disabilities

Spinal cord injuries

Loss of limbs
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Cerebral Palsy
Hearing impairments
Visual impairments
Speech impairments
Specific learning
disabilities

Head injuries
Psychiatric disorders
Diabetes
Cancer
AIDS
Intellectual Disability
Epilepsy (Episodic)

Qualified Individual with a Disability

Meets the skills and experience, education, and other

job requirements
Can perform the essential functions of the position
with or without reasonable accommodations

Reasonable Accommodations

Any change in the work environment or in the way things are

customarily done that enables an individual with a disability to
enjoy equal employment opportunities.

Modifications or adjustments to a job application process that enable a qualified applicant with a disability to
be considered for the position such qualified applicant desires; or

Modifications or adjustments to the work environment, or to the manner or circumstances under which the
position held or desired is customarily performed, that enable a qualified individual with a disability to
perform the essential functions of that position; or

Modifications or adjustments that enable a covered entity's employee with a disability to enjoy equal benefits
and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by its other similarly situated employees without disabilities.

All employees with a disability are guaranteed reasonable accommodation under federal law
http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html

Assistive Technology Devices

CAP Program

Computer Electronic Accommodation Program

Provides assistive technology and services to
people with disabilities.
http://www.tricare.mil/cap/index.cfm

Hard of Hearing - Assistive listening devices

Low Vision Magnifier/reader programs

Blind Provides output of computer screen

Dexterity Alternative keyboards

Communication Speech generating device

Cognitive Word prediction software

Undue Hardship

An action requiring significant difficulty or expense, when

considered in light of:

Nature and cost

Overall financial resources of the facility
Number of persons employed
Effect on expenses and resources
Impact of accommodation on operation of the facility

Reasonable Accommodation Process

Speak with your supervisor

Contact the Office of Civil Rights and Diversity for
advice and guidance
Medical documentation must be provided to prove need
for accommodation
Type of disability/medical condition
Type of Reasonable Accommodation
i.e. Piece of equipment, schedule adjustment

QUESTIONS??