Requesting Accommodations Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Issue/Question

An employee would like to request accommodation to successfully perform their essential job duties

Environment

• Job Descriptions
• Disability Accommodations
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008

Cause

Employees requesting accommodation for their work based on a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities

Resolution

1. Supervisors are required to direct employees to the information below (or to Human Resources) if an employee is requesting accommodations to perform their job
   • To ensure the need for accommodations, and for consistent compliance with the federal law, supervisors should not grant accommodations without directing the employee to submit the ADA forms to Human Resources
2. Under the ADA the essential duties of a position do not change
   •  The essential job functions still need to be performed by the employee; but consistent with federal law, there may be need for reasonable accommodation(s) for them to successfully perform the work they were hired to perform
3. More information about applying for accommodations, and the pertinent forms for an employee to apply for an accommodation, may be found at: 
   • Disability Accommodations for Employees
4. Employees provide the forms to a medical professional to complete. Completed forms should be returned to Human Resources:
   • Fax: 605-658-3758
     or
   • Email: hr@usd.edu
5. Medical information is kept confidential in Human Resources and is not shared with department staff or the supervisor without the employee’s express permission
6. Once Human Resources has received the completed ADA medical certification:
   • An HR staff member will work interactively with the employee and supervisor to determine what, if any, accommodations may be necessary to perform essential job functions
   • Costs for reasonable accommodations will be born by the department
   • Requests for accommodations by students or visitors should be directed to Disability Services