An individual has a condition that substantially limits a number of major life activities;

Has a record of a disability;

Is an individual who is treated as though he or she is disabled.

Make an appointment with EOO staff for explanation of the process and to receive documentation for your health care provider.

Inform your health care provider that you have made a request for an accommodation at work.

Ask your health care provider to complete the documentation you received from EOO staff.

Health care provider sends material directly to EOO.

EOO reviews documentation.

For classroom assignment accommodation requests, EOO contacts the Registrar's Office. For other requests, EOO contacts supervisor to determine if requested accommodation is feasible. EOO does not divulge details about the disabling condition to supervisor.

If the request is feasible, EOO will approve the request and begin to address the details of the accommodation requested or a reasonable substitute that accomplishes the same result: allowing the employee to fulfill the essential functions of the job.

The job application process

The way the job is performed

Working hours/work shift

Assistive technology

Equal Opportunity and Outreach - One University Avenue, Cumnock Hall C4, Lowell, MA 01854
Phone: 978-934-3565 Fax: 978-934-3032 Contact Us



FAQs: Accommodations Am I required to disclose a disability? Whom do I contact to disclose a disability? What is the legal definition of a person with a disability? How is a disability established under the ADA Can a person who has a family member with an intellectual disability be protected under the ADA? As a faculty or staff member, how do I request a reasonable accommodation? Can a request be denied even if the health care provider verifies that the disability has a substantially limiting effect on a number of major life activities? What are essential functions? What are some additional examples of reasonable accommodation? Am I required to disclose a disability? No. You are not required to disclose a disability. However, you will need to so if you plan to request a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. Please remember that disclosing alone is not the same thing as requesting an accommodation. top Whom do I contact to disclose a disability? Staff, faculty, and applicants: Please contact the Equal Opportunity and Outreach staff located in room C-4, in the lower level of Cumnock Hall, UML North (Find Your Associate). Also you may call the main phone number, (978) 934-3565, or send an email. Students: Counseling Services McGauvren Student Union Building Telephone: (978) 934-4331 Dr. Chandrika Sharma Disability Services O’Leary library 1^st floor Telephone: (978) 934-4574 top What is the legal definition of a person with a disability? The legal definition has three parts: An individual has a condition that substantially limits a number of major life activities; Has a record of a disability; Is an individual who is treated as though he or she is disabled. Another key aspect of the law is the definition of “substantially limiting effect.” Essentially this means that one or a number of major life activities are affected by the disability. An individual's impairment must substantially limit one or more major life activities that an average person can perform with little or no difficulty. Examples include: Walking, seeing, hearing, thinking, speaking, learning, concentrating, performing manual tasks, caring for oneself and working. These are only a few limited examples of the effects that may result from a variety of disabling conditions. top How is a disability established under the ADA? It is determined as the result of a medical evaluation from a health care provider. The individual requesting the accommodation is required to provide documentation to the University as follows. Faculty, staff, and applicants for employment: Equal Opportunity and Outreach, C-4 Cumnock Hall, (978) 934-3565 Students: Disability Services, O’Leary Library 1st floor, (978) 934-4574 top Can a person who has a family member with a disability be protected under the ADA? In some instances, yes. The ADA protections extend to people who do not have disabilities themselves but are discriminated against on the basis of their association with a person with a disability. The association may be with family members, friends, or any other person. A person who experiences discrimination based on such an association has a right to protection under the ADA, but is not entitled to reasonable accommodation. top As a faculty or staff member, how do I request a reasonable accommodation? Make an appointment with EOO staff for explanation of the process and to receive documentation for your health care provider. Inform your health care provider that you have made a request for an accommodation at work. Ask your health care provider to complete the documentation you received from EOO staff. Health care provider sends material directly to EOO. EOO reviews documentation. For classroom assignment accommodation requests, EOO contacts the Registrar's Office. For other requests, EOO contacts supervisor to determine if requested accommodation is feasible. EOO does not divulge details about the disabling condition to supervisor. If the request is feasible, EOO will approve the request and begin to address the details of the accommodation requested or a reasonable substitute that accomplishes the same result: allowing the employee to fulfill the essential functions of the job. top Can a request be denied even if the health care provider verifies that the disability has a substantially limiting effect on a number of major life activities? Feasibility of a request will be carefully considered. However, this does not mean that the University can deny a request merely because the accommodation poses a minor inconvenience. EOO will advise supervisors, deans, chairs and the Registrar's Office about this important distinction. top What are essential functions? Essential functions are the aspects of the job that are so fundamental that, if removed, would change substantially change the nature and function of the job. What are some additional examples of reasonable accommodation? Modifications to: The job application process The way the job is performed Working hours/work shift Assistive technology Work location top

Equal Opportunity and Outreach - One University Avenue, Cumnock Hall C4, Lowell, MA 01854 Phone: 978-934-3565 Fax: 978-934-3032 Contact Us

FAQs: Accommodations