Reasonable accommodation means modifying or adjusting practices, procedures, policies, educational services and delivery, or the training environment so that a student with a disability can enjoy equal educational opportunity, so long as: (1) there is sufficient medical evidence establishing a relationship between the disability and the need addressed by the specific accommodation; and (2) it does not impose an undue hardship on the Training Partnership.

For purposes of accommodation, a person is regarded as having a disability if he or she has a sensory, mental, or physical impairment that is medically recognizable or diagnosable or exists as a record or history or is perceived to exist.

Undue hardship means, among other things, an excessively costly, extensive, substantial or disruptive modification or one that would fundamentally alter the nature or operations of the Training Partnership or its programs.

Overview of Accommodation Process

To request reasonable accommodation, a student with a disability should request accommodation from the Training Partnership by completing “ADA Request Form” (See Appendix A of the ADA Policy Document and Forms) or by calling the Member Resource Center. Once the request is received by the Training Partnership, the Accommodation process will start, during which the student will be asked to provide current documentation of his or her disability, the functional limitations resulting from the disability and recommendations for specific accommodations.

As part of the Accommodation process, the ADA Coordinator will confer with the student to identify appropriate and reasonable accommodations that may be warranted under the particular circumstances.

The Training Partnership has the right to establish qualifications and other essential standards and requirements for its courses, programs, activities and services. All students are expected to meet these essential qualifications, standards, and requirements with or without reasonable accommodations.

A. How is the Accommodation Process started?

The student with a disability must initiate the process by requesting accommodation from the Training Partnership. The initial request does not need to be in writing. Once the request is received and documented on the ADA Request Form (see Appendix A), the ADA Coordinator will mail or email the student an Accommodation Checklist (see Appendix B) and a copy of this policy in a manner or format that is accessible to the Student. If the student requires assistance to complete the form, the student must email adarequest@myseiubenefits.org or call the Member Resource Center.

The student is responsible for submitting to the ADA Coordinator all of the information requested in the Accommodation Checklist, including a current report or evaluation prepared by a physician or other appropriate licensed professional that describes the student’s disability, the functional limitations as a result of the disability and specific recommendations for accommodation. If the information submitted with the Accommodation Checklist is insufficient, the ADA Coordinator will inform student that the information is incomplete and will identify the additional information needed.

Once the Accommodation Checklist is complete, the ADA Coordinator will contact the student with any additional questions and next steps through an accommodation conference or meeting. The Conference may occur over the telephone or in any other manner or format that is accessible to the student.

B. Will the information provided during the Accommodation process be confidential?

Information provided by a student who requests accommodation will be treated as confidential to the extent possible and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information will be kept in a secure manner, and not be accessible by or disclosed to any other employees at the Training Partnership other than the ADA Coordinator unless they are involved in an appeal of the proposed accommodation for the student, or otherwise have a legitimate need to know the information in order to carry out their duties on behalf of the Training Partnership.

C. What happens at the Accommodation Conference?

The purpose of the Accommodation Conference is to determine to determine the reasonable accommodation to be provided by the Training Partnership. The Conference may take place in a single meeting or in a series of meetings.

No meeting is necessary if the ADA Coordinator decides that the accommodation requested by the student is reasonable and appropriate. In that case, ADA Coordinator can send the Student the “Confirmation of Accommodation” form, as described below in Step D.

The Conference should have the following outcomes:

• Existing documentation should be reviewed.
• The nature of the student’s functional limitations, and how those limitations may impact his or her activities in the Training Partnership’s programs, should be identified.

The student and ADA Coordinator should reach agreement regarding appropriate accommodation.

A specific accommodation requested by a student and recommended by a medical provider may not be “reasonable” given the Training Partnership’s policies, procedures, and requirements. The ADA Coordinator may propose other accommodations that neither the student nor the medical provider recommended. In general, an accommodation is “reasonable” if it enables the student to have an equal opportunity to participate in the Training Partnership’s programs, without placing an undue hardship on the Training Partnership.

D. What is the Confirmation of Accommodation?

When the Student and ADA Coordinator reach agreement regarding a proposed accommodation, the student will be asked to complete the “Confirmation of Accommodation” form. See Appendix C. The Confirmation of Accommodation form will be kept on file by the Training Partnership, together with all related documents. The Student will be given a copy of the Confirmation of Accommodation. It is his or her responsibility to notify ADA Coordinator at least 21 days in advance of participating in one of the Training Partnership’s classes so that his or her accommodation may be put in place. The ADA Coordinator may have longer than 21 days to put the accommodation in place, if, in his or her discretion, additional time is necessary. The Coordinator will promptly notify the Student that additional time is needed, so that the Student can arrange for a different class.

E. What happens if the Student disagrees with the proposed accommodation?

If the Student disagrees with a proposed accommodation, the Student may request an additional Conference to review the proposed accommodation with the Director of Learning Experience.

F. Timeline

The amount of time required to fully conduct the Accommodation process is highly variable. The Training Partnership recognizes, however, the importance of completing the accommodation process in a timely manner.

ADA Request Form: DOWNLOAD FORM