Accommodations

Accommodations for Participants at University Programs, Events, Seminars, or Conferences:  

University departments host conferences, seminars, lectures and other events every day that are open to students, employees, and visitors. The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 require the University to ensure that all sponsored events are accessible to individuals with disabilities. EOC staff or staff in Accessibility, Resources and Services can meet with you to address questions you may have as you prepare for your event.

Event sponsors should make every effort to ensure that the activity is scheduled in a University facility that is accessible. Sponsors should begin planning early to ensure that the preferred facility is available on the proposed date of the event.  Event sponsors are required to provide services and accommodations for participants who have self-identified as having a disability. Services include (but are not limited to) interpreters and captioning for hearing impaired individuals and note takers and/or tapes for visually impaired individuals. The cost for these services is the responsibility of the event sponsor. Interpreter services for hearing impaired individuals participating in University sponsored activities may be difficult to arrange on short notice. Requests should be made 48 hours in advance of the event.

We also recommend that all event registration information should include a statement that asks participants about accessibility needs such as – “Please let us know as soon as possible if you need any accommodations or services to participate in this event.”

Contact Rudy Jones, associate director, EOC, for additional assistance >>

How it Works 

EOC oversees the University’s ADA Reasonable Accommodations in Employment Policy, which is the policy that outlines requirements for disability accommodations and how to request  accommodations for employees and applicants for employment. On average, it takes 30 days to complete a request. The employee or applicant is responsible for requesting the accommodation and submitting required forms to EOC. EOC staff will work with the employee and supervisors to determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be provided.

View the policy, find out about how to request an accommodation, and learn more about the confidentiality of the request. >>

Students seeking disability accommodations should contact Accessibility, Resources and Service. >>

Funds for Equipment 

EOC manages a central fund that is available to assist departments and units in purchasing services and/or equipment for employees as part of an accommodations request. Supporting documentation is required for purchases to be made.

Equipment purchased from this fund for any employee must be recommended by his or her physician or other health care provider and must be approved by EOC as part of a request for disability accommodations. The Documentation of Disability Form that is submitted to EOC as part of the accommodations request must include information from the employee’s physician and/or health care provider indicating the specific item(s) to be purchased. The physician or other health care provider’s statement will be retained by EOC in a confidential file.

EOC should be informed immediately upon receipt of the equipment and/or the beginning of the provision of services. This will ensure prompt payment to authorized vendors.

The central fund can be used to purchase all required modifications to chairs and computers to accommodate employees with disabilities; however, the fund does not cover the cost of purchasing chairs and computers for employees with disabilities. These items are considered standard pieces of equipment used by most employees to perform their assigned duties and are purchased for all employees.

All equipment purchased through this account becomes part of the University’s central inventory. The employee may use the equipment as long as they remain employed by the University, which includes transfers between units. EOC should be notified immediately when an employee no longer requires the equipment, transfers between departments, or leaves the University. The unit in which the employee is assigned is responsible for transferring the equipment to EOC when its use is no longer required.

Access the Documentation of Disability Form >> 

Contact Rudy Jones, associate director, EOC if you have any questions >>

EOC supports the University’s commitment to provide reasonable religious accommodations for employees and students that enable them to exercise sincerely-held religious beliefs or practices unless doing so imposes an undue hardship on the University. Employees should contact Becci Menghini, senior associate vice chancellor, Workforce Strategy, Equity, and Engagement to request an accommodation. Supervisors may also contact the office for assistance with employee requests for religious accommodations. Students should consult the University’s Class Attendance Policy for information about religious observances required by a student’s faith and should contact EOC if they have any questions or needs.  

After an accommodation has been approved, EOC will periodically check in with the employee to determine whether their needs are being met. If the employee needs to extend the length of time permitted for an accommodation, the employee should contact Rudy Jones, associate director, EOC.

It is important to know that the University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on protected status, including disability. Discrimination under the University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct includes failing to provide reasonable accommodations, consistent with state and federal law, to a qualified person with a disability. EOC also oversees this policy.

View more information about the University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct >>

• JAN:  The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a resource that provides free and confidential information about workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.  JAN’s consultants offer individual guidance on workplace accommodations, as well as the ADA and related legislation. Assistance is provided via phone and online. Visit JAN >> 
• Facilities Services: Contact staff in Facilities Services if you have questions about the accessibility of University buildings.
• Access to Battle Hall, Vance Hall, Pettigrew Hall, and Coates Building: View information about accessing these buildings on campus.
• University’s Animals on Campus Policy: Learn more about the University’s policy on assistance animals for individuals with disabilities.