Workplace ADA Accommodations
The Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) will provide reasonable workplace ADA accommodations to employees of the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é in order to provide them with the same rights and opportunities as everyone else in performing their essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations will be made unless it is determined that doing so would cause undue hardship on the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é. This is in accordance with sections 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments (ADAAA) of 2008.
Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é employees with a qualifying condition are evaluated for workplace accommodations under Title I of the ADA. Having a medical condition alone is not enough to make someone eligible for accommodation under the ADA.
Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.
Initiating the Accommodation Process
Employees seeking workplace accommodation(s) should initiate the request by completing the and submitting the form to UTEP’s ADA Coordinator at ADAAccommodations@utep.edu or may submit it in person to the Equal Opportunity (EO) Office, Kelly Hall 3rd Floor, Room 302.
An employee may request or request to modify a reasonable accommodation at any time. Supervisors who receive a request for accommodation should refer the employee to the ADA Coordinator, and notify the EO Office of such referral via email to ADAAccommodations@utep.edu.
Medical statements by an appropriately licensed professional containing a diagnosis, prognosis, and a description of the specific impairment(s) and the major life functions and activities affected by the impairment will be required.
Although, employees may initially consult with the ADA Coordinator without first informing their supervisor, supervisors are an important part of the process and will be brought into the discussion about the impact to the unit, job expectations and identification of reasonable ADA accommodation(s). It is important to note that in having this discussion, the ADA Coordinator does not share the medical diagnosis or disability documentation with the supervisor, but rather maintains the focus on the limitations of the condition(s) and suggested ADA accommodations.
For more information about the ADA interactive accommodation process, please contact the EO Office. You may also find helpful ADA Resources below for more guidance.
ADA Flow Chart
ADA Section 504 Coordinator
If you would like to request a workplace
Beatriz Tapia
Director
Equal Opportunity Office
Kelly Hall 3rd Floor, Room 304
Phone: (915) 747-5839
Email: ADAAccommodations@utep.edu
Additional Resources
- UTEP Policy: Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities Policy
- ADA Accommodations Booklet
- For academic ADA accommodations please contact the Center for Accommodations and Support Services.
- UTEP's Lactation Station Program
Evacuation Chair Locations
Evacuation chairs are used when there is a fire or other reason for the electricity to go out in a building. Those that are mobile can evacuate the building by walking down the stairs. If a person that uses a wheelchair is stranded on an upper level, they can be moved into an evacuation chair, which will be used on the stairs to evacuate them from the building. Their wheelchair might be lost in the fire, but their life will be saved.