It is the university’s intention to address requests for accommodation in a timely fashion. The precise timeline may vary depending upon several factors, including without limitation, timeline of receipt of the provider form, the urgency of the accommodation or change of condition circumstances, the complexity of the request when conducting the reasonability analysis, and overall Workplace ADA caseload. The university strongly encourages employees with time-sensitive needs to submit requests months prior to the need for accommodations to be implemented and to let these needs be known at the time the Accommodation Request Form is submitted. However, please note regardless of expressed urgency this process may take (at a minimum) several weeks to several months to conclude. An analysis is necessary for interim accommodations, and we will do our best to put interim measures in place while working through this process. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
The university has an affirmative duty to provide reasonable workplace accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Workplace accommodations are any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables an employee with a disability to overcome the physical or mental barriers experienced with their medical condition so that they are able to perform the essential functions of their position.
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA) is responsible for administering the university’s interactive disability accommodation process. At the outset, employees interested in requesting workplace accommodation(s) are asked to complete an Accommodation Request Form online or submit a PDF form, or request alternative submission modality, to WorkplaceADA@uoregon.edu. Your supervisor or unit HR partner can help you print the PDF request form if needed.
In most circumstances, university employees will be asked to meet with OEOA and discuss the circumstances surrounding their need and request for accommodation. We recognize that some employees may be reluctant to disclose the existence of a medical condition or to request an accommodation. Employees are welcome to bring one support person with them to any meeting with OEOA regarding their need for accommodation. In addition, employees may ask for language interpreters. University employees are also reminded that requesting a workplace accommodation is protected under the law and retaliation for engaging in protected activity is unlawful and will not be tolerated by the university. Concerns about discrimination or retaliation should be reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (OEOA) through the Discrimination, Harassment, Bias, and Retaliation Reporting Form here, or by email at eoa@uoregon.edu
Explore the accommodation process through these two questions generally asked:
- Is the employee’s medical condition a disability?
- What reasonable workplace accommodations would enable the employee to overcome the barriers experienced by their disability?
Refer to the Disability Accommodation Process Guide for helpful information regarding the process for university employees to request workplace accommodations and other related considerations:
Disability Accommodation Process Guide