I3: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act

Responsibility for Maintenance: Human Resources

Date of most recent changes: June 25, 2024

I. Policy Statement

Onondaga Community College seeks to provide an inclusive work environment that allows all people, including those with limiting conditions, to make a meaningful contribution. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability, who is an employee or applicant for employment, unless undue hardship and/or significant risk to the health and/or safety of the individual or fellow employees/others would result.

It is the policy of Onondaga Community College to comply with all applicable laws which prohibit disability discrimination and provide for reasonable accommodations. Further, it is our policy not to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, discharge, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. The College will engage in interactive discussions with individuals with disabilities, upon request or upon notice of the potential need for an accommodation. The College will provide a reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability to help that individual perform the essential functions of the position. Accommodation requests should be initiated or coordinated with the Office of Human Resources.

II. Reason for Policy

This policy ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the New York Human Rights Law, all of which prohibit disability discrimination. As a matter of policy, the College also desires to ensure access to individuals with disabilities to equal employment opportunities.

III. Applicability of the Policy

This policy applies to all College employees and applicants for employment.

IV. Related Documents

V. Contacts

Subject	Office Name	Title or Position	Telephone Number	Email/URL
Questions regarding policy	Human Resources	Vice President, Human Resources	(315) 498-2516	m.wilcox4@sunyocc.edu

VI. Definitions

Term	Definition
Disability	with respect to an individual: (i) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities; (ii) a history or record of such impairment; or (iii) being regarded as having such an impairment.
Major Life Activities	include the following, but not limited to: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working.
Reasonable accommodation	in the employment setting may include a modification or adjustment to a job or the work environment, part-time or modified work schedules, or reassignment to a vacant position. Other definitions as contained in applicable statutes and regulations may apply.

VII. Procedures

Any employee or applicant for employment who feels they may need an accommodation to help perform the essential functions of the job should contact Human Resources. Because the need for an accommodation is not always apparent, if the employee requests an accommodation, Human Resources may request input from one or more health care providers concerning the work-related condition and the extent to which the employee can perform the essential functions of the job. Any medical information concerning an employee's limitation and/or reasonable accommodation needs will be kept in strict confidence in compliance with applicable privacy laws. Such information will only be shared with those individuals who have a need to know the information to address an accommodation request, and will not be communicated with any other individuals except with the employee's written consent or where required by law.

Any individual who feels he or she has been discriminated or retaliated against due to his or her disability, or denied a reasonable accommodation, should use the complaint procedures set forth in the Onondaga Community College Policy I5 Non-Harassment/Non-Discrimination.

The College will not tolerate any retaliation against any individual because he or she has requested an accommodation, made a complaint of disability discrimination or harassment, or otherwise participated in a discrimination or harassment investigation in good faith.

VIII. Forms/Online Processes

Reasonable Accommodation Request Form
The College may require employees to utilize other forms and/or provide appropriate supporting documentation, as warranted.

Approved by the OCC Board of Trustees April 3, 2006

Updated and approved by the Board of Trustees June 19, 2012

Updated and approved by the Board of Trustees June 25, 2024