Requesting Accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
If you have a disability that you feel should be accommodated by Saint Louis University, you should complete the ADA request form in Workday under 鈥淩equests.鈥� Once we receive your request, we will begin an interactive process involving your human resources consultant, you and your supervisor to determine the appropriate next steps. You will be asked for information to support your request.
1. What is the Definition of Disability?
Under the ADA, a person has a disability if they:
- Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
- Have a record of such an impairment.
- Are regarded as having such an impairment. Only people in the first or second categories are entitled to reasonable accommodation.
In September 2008, the ADA's definition of disability was amended. One of the changes was making the substantially limited standard an easier one to meet. In March 2011, the EEOC released regulations further explaining the new standard. These regulations became final in May 2011.
2. Your HR Consultant Will Request Medical Documentation
Your HR consultant will request medical documentation to assist in evaluating whether you have an impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities and whether or not you need a reasonable accommodation to be able to do your job. Please refer to the Medical Inquiry Form.
We will require that the documentation about the disability and limitations come from an appropriate health care professional. Appropriate professionals include, but are not limited to:
- Doctors (including psychiatrists)
- Psychologists
- Nurses
- Physical therapists
- Chiropractors
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
- Vocational rehabilitation specialists
- Licensed mental health professionals
3. What is an Impairment?
The first step in determining whether an employee has a disability is to determine whether the employee has a physical or mental impairment. A physical impairment means any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more body systems, such as neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, immune, circulatory, hemic, lymphatic, skin, and endocrine. A mental or psychological disorder includes conditions such as intellectual disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
4. What are Major Life Activities?
Major life activities include functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, sitting, reaching, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, interacting with others, and working.
Major life activities also include the operation of a major bodily function, including functions of the immune system, special sense organs and skin; normal cell growth; and digestive, genitourinary, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, cardiovascular, endocrine, hemic, lymphatic, musculoskeletal, and reproductive functions.
The operation of a major bodily function includes the operation of an individual organ within a body system. These lists are not exhaustive lists; they are representative of the types of activities that are major life activities.
5. Determining Whether an Accommodation is Needed
Under the ADA, an employee is entitled to a reasonable accommodation that will enable the employee to do his or her job despite having a disability. Therefore, the University can ask for medical documentation to show that the requested accommodation is needed because of the employee's disability. Keep in mind, the limitations that need accommodating do not have to be the same ones that established disability. Once it is determined that an employee has a disability, he/she is entitled to reasonable accommodations for any limitations resulting from the disability.
6. Determining Effective Accommodation Options
If an employee has a disability and needs an accommodation because of the disability, the University must provide a reasonable accommodation, unless the accommodation poses an undue hardship. In general, an accommodation is any modification or adjustment in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables an employee with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities. A modification or adjustment is "reasonable" if it seems reasonable on its face, meaning feasible or plausible. In addition to being reasonable, an accommodation also must be "effective" in meeting the needs of the individual.
An accommodation is effective when it enables the employee to perform the essential functions of the job or to enjoy equal access to the benefits and privileges of employment that employees without disabilities enjoy. In many cases, a reasonable accommodation will be obvious and can be made without difficulty and at little or no cost. Frequently, the individual with a disability can suggest a simple change or adjustment based on his or her life or work experience. The HR consultant should always consult the person with the disability as the first step in considering an accommodation. In many cases the employee will be able to provide accommodation ideas. The employee's health care provider will also be able to provide useful accommodation suggestions.
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) prohibits employers and other entities covered by GINA Title II from requesting or requiring genetic information of an individual or family member of the individual, except as specifically allowed by this law. To comply with this law, we are asking that you not provide any genetic information when responding to this request for medical information. "Genetic information," as defined by GINA, includes an individual's family medical history, the results of an individual's or family member's genetic tests, the fact that an individual or an individual's family member sought or received genetic services, and genetic information of a fetus carried by an individual or an individual's family member or an embryo lawfully held by an individual or family member receiving assistive reproductive services. Determining effective accommodation options.
7. Making an Accommodation Request in Workday
- Login to Workday through the MySLU portal.
- On your home page, under the applications section, find and click 鈥淩equests.鈥�
- In the 鈥淎ctions鈥� column (left), click 鈥淐reate Request.鈥�
- For the request type, go to "All" and select "Accommodation Request."
- Click the orange 鈥淥K鈥� button at the bottom.
- Enter a description of your request in the description space provided.
- Scroll down to read the help text about accommodations and answer the questions about your specific accommodation, job functions, limitations, etc.
- When you are finished click the orange 鈥淪ubmit鈥� button.
- After submitting, the request will be reviewed by your HR consultant and manager.