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[cuwinga aka the information school media specialist]

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Many national service programs have a policy in place which identifies
the procedures for the request and provision of reasonable
accommodations for service members with disabilities. Additionally,
many other programs are in the process of drafting and implementing
such policies and procedures. The National Service Inclusion Project
(NSIP) has received a number of requests regarding this matter. With
that, this Inclusion Weekly will give some basic information regarding
the key elements that should be considered when programs develop
reasonable accommodation policies and identify valuable resources on
the subject matter. To start, the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission
has published a document, which may help programs and service sites
develop reasonable accommodation policies and procedures.
The document recommends that reasonable accommodations policies
shouldÖ
* Explain that a volunteer, service member or applicant may initiate a
request for reasonable accommodation orally or in writing.
* Explain how the program or service site will process a request for
reasonable accommodation, and who will deliver the final decision.
* Designate a time period within which reasonable accommodation
requests will be granted or denied, absent extenuating circumstances
(which should be as short as reasonably possible).
* Explain the responsibility of the service member, volunteer, or
applicant to provide appropriate medical information related to the
disability or functional limitation and the requested accommodation
where the disability and/or need for accommodation is not obvious
* Explain the programís or service siteís right to request relevant
supplemental medical information if the information submitted does not
clearly explain the nature of the disability, or the need for the
reasonable accommodation, or does not otherwise clarify how the
requested accommodation will assist the individual to perform the
essential functions of the position or to enjoy the benefits and
privileges of the service program
* Explain the programís or service siteís right to have medical
information reviewed by a medical expert of the agency's choosing at
the agency's expense.
* Provide that reassignment will be considered as a reasonable
accommodation if the program or service site determines that no other
reasonable accommodation will permit a volunteer or service member
with a disability to perform the essential functions of his or her
current position.
* Provide that reasonable accommodation denials be in writing and
specify the reasons for denial. NOTE: The denial should be written in
plain language with as much specificity as possible, and should
identify the individual or office that made the decision.
* Ensure that service siteís or programís system of recordkeeping
track the processing of requests for reasonable accommodation and
maintain the confidentiality of medical information received in
accordance with applicable law and regulations.
* Encourage the use of informal dispute resolution processes to allow
individuals with disabilities to obtain prompt reconsideration of
denials of reasonable accommodation.
* Inform individuals with disabilities that they have the right to
file complaints pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity processes and
other statutory processes, as appropriate, if their requests for
reasonable accommodation are denied.

The full document from the EEOC, from which the foregoing
information was obtained, can be downloaded at:
http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation_procedures.html
For further information on the subject, please review the Job
Accommodations Networkís ìPractical Advice For Drafting And
Implementing Reasonable Accommodation Procedures Under Executive Order
13164,î which can be downloaded at:
http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/implementing_accommodation.html#introduction
Additionally, you may download a sample Reasonable Accommodation
Request Form at: http://askjan.org/media/raform.doc

Sincerely,
Joe Tierney
National Service Inclusion Project


The National Service Inclusion Project is a cooperative agreement
(08TAHMA001) between the Corporation for National and Community
Service and the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston in
collaboration with the Association of University Centers on
Disabilities, the Association on Higher Education and Disability, the
National Council on Independent Living and the National Down Syndrome
Congress. †With this correspondence, NSIP is not providing legal
advice, but only providing information about the law designed to help
national service programs address their own legal needs. No attorney-
client relationship is formed by this communication. †The content
contained does not imply endorsement from the Corporation for National
and Community Service, the National Service Inclusion Project or any
of our partner agencies.

The National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) is a Corporation for
National and Community Service (CNCS) training and technical
assistance provider. Through comprehensive training, technical
assistance, and product dissemination, NSIP strives to ensure
meaningful service experiences for all Americans, regardless of their
abilities. Most services are free of charge.


---
"Spread the word: Potential AmeriCorps members can apply online and
AmeriCorps programs can post opportunities at www.americorps.gov"

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library_connect

Promoting Libraries: University at Albany's Librarypalooza!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6luQ7LmEMc&feature=player_embedded
4 minutes ago via web
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libgig_jobs

New LIBGIG job: Orbis Cascade Alliance / Information Technology
Manager / Eugene, OR: Information Technology Manag... http://bit.ly/cE54uC