VI-1.00(B)

UMB ADA Policy on Employment

Administration   |   Approved October 1, 2015

Responsible VP/AVP

Dawn M. Rhodes, DBA, MBA

Revision History

Policy Statement

I. Purpose and Applicability

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (the University) is firmly committed to the principles of equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This policy applies to all University faculty, staff, and applicants for University employment.

II. Terms and Definitions

A. Disability. With respect to an individual, a disability means:

1. A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of the individual;

a. Physical or Mental Impairment:

i. Any physiological disorder, condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the body's systems, or

ii. Any mental or psychological disorder, such as intellectual disability, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, or specific learning disability;

b. Substantially Limits:

An impairment is a disability if it substantially limits an individual's ability to perform a major life activity as compared to most people in the general population. The determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity requires an individualized assessment;

c. Major Life Activities:

i. In general, major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, sitting, reaching, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, interacting with others and working.

ii. Major life activities also include the operation of a major bodily function.

2. A record of such an impairment;

Includes a person with a history of, or who has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or

3. Being regarded as having such an impairment;

Includes an individual who establishes that he or she has been subjected to a prohibited action because of an actual or perceived physical or mental impairment whether or not the impairment substantially limits or is perceived to substantially limit a major life activity, unless the impairment is both transitory or minor.

4. An impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it substantially limits a major life activity when it is active.

When determining whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity, the University will not take into consideration any "mitigating measures" such as prescription drugs, medical equipment, prosthetics, or other remedies, beyond ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses.

B. Qualified Individual with a Disability. An employee or applicant for employment who, with or without a reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of the position.

C. Reasonable Accommodation. A modification or adjustment to a position, an employment practice, or the work environment that makes it possible for a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

1. Making existing facilities readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities;

2. Job restructuring, modifying work schedules, reassignment to a vacant position; or

3. Acquiring or modifying equipment or devices, adjusting or modifying examinations, training materials, or policies, and providing qualified readers or interpreters.

The University is not obligated to and will not provide personal use items needed in accomplishing daily activities (e.g., eyeglasses, hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs).

D. Essential Job Function. The fundamental duties of the position or the primary reasons the position exists. The University is not required to eliminate an essential function from the position, nor is it required to lower quality or performance standards to make an accommodation, as long as those standards are applied uniformly to employees with or without a disability. The University is not required to create a new position to accommodate an employee with a disability.

E. Undue Hardship. An accommodation or action requiring significant difficulty or expense when considered in light of factors such as the University’s size, financial resources, and the nature and structure of its operation, and the impact of the accommodation upon its operation, including the impact on the ability of other employees to perform their duties and the impact on the unit's ability to conduct business.

F. Direct Threat. A significant risk of substantial harm to the health and safety of a qualified individual with a disability or others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation.

III. General

A. The University will not discriminate on the basis of disability against a qualified person with a disability in regard to job application, recruitment, hiring, advancement, compensation, training, termination, or other terms, conditions or privileges related to employment.

B. The University will make a reasonable accommodation for a qualified person with a disability to allow the performance of the essential functions of a job unless an accommodation would result in undue hardship or provide a direct threat to the health and safety of the employee with a disability or other persons.

C. All information pertaining to a person's disability will be kept confidential and separate from personnel files. Information regarding a person's disability will only be disclosed to pertinent faculty members and staff as necessary for purposes of first aid, emergency treatment, evacuation, evaluating a request for accommodation, or implementing an accommodation.

IV. Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE ADA STATEMENT ON PUBLIC ACCESS

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (the University) is firmly committed to the principles of equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments (ADAAA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The University will not discriminate unlawfully against any person based on disability in regard to participation in any programs, services, activities or access to facilities. The University requires that reasonable accommodation be made for participation and equal access to programs, services, activities or facilities unless the accommodation would result in undue hardship or threaten the health and safety of University employees or other participants.

All notices, advertisements, announcements, and publications soliciting public participation in University programs should include the following statement:

If you require special accommodations to attend or participate, please provide information about your requirements to [insert name and phone number of event contact person] or call the Maryland Relay Service number (1-800-735-2258) at least five business days in advance.