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Reasonable Accommodations

A reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job, an employment practice, or the work environment that makes it possible for a qualified individual to enjoy an equal employment opportunity.

Each state agency has a written policy and procedure for providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees, or applicants for employment. A qualified individual with a disability is a person whose experience, education and/or training enables the person, with reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job.

Reasonable accommodations requests are specific to the individual and the position but may include things such as making facilities accessible, adjusting work schedules, restructuring portions of jobs, providing assisting devices or equipment, providing readers or interpreters, and modifying work sites.  The employer has the final say in what the accommodation may look like, and accommodations may not always be the exact accommodation requested.

 

Accommodation Process:

  • Starts with verbal or written request

  • Contact the reasonable accommodation coordinator or your HR representative

  • Agency reasonable accommodation coordinator will work with employee and supervisor to find accommodation

  • Interactive process

Employee’s Responsibilities:

  • It is the primary responsibility of the employee to request an accommodation

  • Employees should be familiar with their agency policy or procedure on reasonable accommodations

  • Employees should cooperate with the reasonable accommodation coordinator and provide requested information in a timely manner

  • Employees should engage in the interactive process with the reasonable accommodation coordinator as needed

Supervisor’s Responsibilities:

  • Maintain confidentiality and share information strictly on a need to know basis

  • Be responsive and maintain a respectful workplace for all employees

  • Each accommodation request and approval is unique and non-precedent setting

  • Know the agency reasonable accommodation policy or procedure and consult with agency reasonable accommodation coordinator as needed

  • Consult with the agency EEO/EI professional or reasonable accommodations coordinator for all requests beyond ergonomic requests.  Do not deny any requests without consulting the EEO/EI​ or reasonable accommodations coordinator.

Resources:


For more information or to request a training on Reasonable Accommodations, please contact BEI at doadpmbei@wisconsin.gov