ACCESS Rochester
Workplace Accommodations:
Introduction and Disabling Conditions
Introduction
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that no qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity in any institution of higher education that receives federal funding.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 defines an individual with a disability as:
- A person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits that person in a major life activity,
- A person with a record of such a physical or mental impairment, or
- A person who is regarded as having such an impairment.
The intent of this legislation is to eliminate physical, attitudinal, and programmatic barriers that prohibit individuals with disabilities from successfully working at and participating in post-secondary educational programs. To achieve that objective, the University community must:
- Look beyond stereotypical images of people with disabilities and focus on the individual capabilities of each applicant or candidate.
- Be receptive to making appropriate changes and accommodations to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities.
Disabling Conditions
A disabling condition substantially limits a major life activity such as walking, seeing, speaking, hearing, breathing, learning, performing manual tasks, caring for one's self, and working. While some chronic medical conditions may qualify as disabling conditions, others may not.
Supervisors should keep in mind that many times the individual with a disability has learned how to adjust to and accommodate the disabling condition quite well. Often the individual with a disability knows best what is needed to allow him or her to be a productive member of the work force.
Individual Responsibilities & Supervisor
Responsibilities
Reasonable Accommodations, Accessible Facilities
& Adjusting Work Schedules
Ergonomic Devices, Job Restructuring & Modifying
Work Sites
University Disability Resources
