Policy and Procedures for Disability Accommodations

Source: Offices of the Provost and Assistant to the Chancellor for Equal Opportunity, Chancellor's Committee on Disability Concerns.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in a timely and cost-effective manner. Questions regarding this policy should be addressed to UW-Whitewater's Assistant to the Chancellor for Equal Opportunity. DEFINITIONS A. "Disabled individual." The term "disability" has the same meaning as "handicap" in state and federal law. [111.32 Wis. St.; ADA, 42 U.S. Code 12101 et.seq; and the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S. Code 794.] A person is "handicapped" or has a "disability" if he or she:

1. 1. has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person's major life activities;
   2. has a record of such impairment; or
   3. is regarded as having such an impairment.

B. "Major life activities." Include functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, etc. C. "Qualified individual with a disability." An individual who, with or without reasonable accommodation, has the education, training, and ability to perform the essential functions of a job. D. "Reasonable accommodation." The modification or restructuring done at the work site or in the work environment which enables persons with a disability to perform essential functions of a job for which they are qualified. PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTING ACCOMMODATIONS A. Applicants for EmploymentApplicants are invited to identify themselves as persons with disabilities on a card. Qualified applicants cannot be denied employment solely on the basis of a need to provide a reasonable accommodation. B. Employees

1. All employees will have the opportunity to identify themselves as persons with disabilities on the Faculty/Staff Information Sheet and the Faculty Employment Data Form.
2. Employees are told about their right to request reasonable accommodations:
   1. during the orientation for all new employees.
   2. at the time of the biennial survey to allow employees to self- identify as persons with disabilities.
   3. in the University Handbook.
3. An employee who wants to request an accommodation fills out the Disability Accommodation
4. Request Form and gives it to Human Resources and Diversity (Hyer Hall 330).
5. The employee will be informed of the supervisor's decision regarding the accommodation request within ten working days.
6. Employees may be asked to provide verification of their disability.
7. The employee (or applicant) will be the primary person consulted with when determining the most appropriate accommodation.

C. The Appeal Process

1. If an employee disagrees with a decision regarding an accommodation request, he or she has a right to appeal the decision.
2. The appeal must be in writing, stating the reason(s) for the disagreement and sent to the Assistant to the Chancellor for Equal Opportunity within ten working days of the initial decision.
3. The Assistant to the Chancellor for Equal Opportunity will review the appeal, may request any pertinent information, and make a recommendation to the Chancellor within 15 working days after receipt of the appeal.
4. The Chancellor will make the final decision regarding the appeal within 15 working days after receipt of the Assistant to the Chancellor's recommendation.

D. Technical Assistance Resources

1. Assistant to the Chancellor for Equal Opportunity.
2. WI Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Field Office Supervisors or Placement Coordinators, 608-266-3655 [TDD 608-267-7772] (East), or 608-266-4551 [TDD 608-267-2090] (West).
3. Easter Seal Society of Wisconsin (Access Wisconsin). Assistance regarding persons with physical disabilities, 608-257-3411.
4. Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a computerized database of accommodation information which relates directly to job situations, 1-800-526-7234.
5. Director, Technical Assistance; Federal Department of Health and Human Services, 300 Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60606. 312-353-5160.
6. The TRACE Center of the UW-Madison Hospitals and Clinics. 608-263-2237.
7. Disabled Student Services, 472-4711 (John Truesdale, Director).
8. Chancellor's Committee on Disability Concerns, 472-5442 (Marcia Pulich, Chairperson).
9. State of Wisconsin Disabilities Rights Coordinator, 608-267-0509.
10. Disabilities and Business Technical Assistance Center (ADA). 1-800-949-4232.

As amended October 2002