Request for reasonable accommodation form

Qualified Individual with a Disability вЂ“ Any disabled individual who can perform the essential functions of a position with or without reasonable accommodation. Whether an employee who is injured on the job is covered by this policy will depend on whether the employee meets the definition of qualified individual with a disability under state or federal law.Дisability вЂ“ A condition that meets the definition of a physical or mental disability under the Maine Human Rights Act or that meets the definition of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The transfer/demotion provisions of this policy do not apply to applicants for employment but are applicable only to employees currently holding or having rights to positions in State government. There is no obligation to promote an employee as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA. The transfer or demotion of a disabled employee that is necessary to provide a reasonable accommodation for continued employment must be given priority over other means to fill available vacant positions, unless the reassignment would cause an undue hardship on the agency.ДЄ position is available if it is currently vacant, approved to be filled, and there are no individuals with a contractual right to the position.Дemotion to a position in a lower pay grade is appropriate only if there are no accommodations that would enable the employee to remain in a position that is equivalent in terms of pay, status or other relevant factors, or if both the agency and the employee agree that demotion is the most appropriate accommodation. Agencies must first explore equivalent positions and then demotion options for disabled employees who can no longer successfully perform their current jobs with or without reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodations cannot be made within the employeeвЂ™s current position, state and federal laws require the employer to explore reassignment to a vacant position. REASSIGNMENT OF EMPLOYEE AS A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION If at any time during the process it is determined that an employee is unable to perform the essential functions of his/her position even with reasonable accommodation, s/he may be eligible for reassignment. If denied, the employee may request that the decision be reviewed by the State EEO Coordinator in the Bureau of Human Resources.Д¤. If the request is approved by the agency, the accommodation will be provided as promptly as possible. No requests for medical information will be made without approval from the agency EEO Officer.ДЈ. Any request for additional medical opinions will be made in accordance with applicable contractual agreements currently in force. If additional information is required, the applicant/employee will be contacted for a release of medical information. The EEO officer may determine that it is necessary to request a statement from the applicant/employeeвЂ™s treatment provider verifying the limitations/restrictions and necessity for the requested accommodations. The agency EEO Officer will work with the supervisor/manager to determine whether the request is reasonable within the framework of existing laws and regulations. No request shall be approved or denied prior to review by the agency EEO Officer or the State EEO Coordinator and a determination that the decision is consistent with both state and federal law and state policy.Дў. All requests for accommodation must be documented and processed as expeditiously as possible and in all cases forwarded to the agency EEO Officer. This does not preclude a supervisor/manager from initiating the reasonable accommodation procedure in appropriate circumstances. Requests for accommodation may be directed to the supervisor/manager of that employee, the agency EEO Officer, or, in the case of a job-related injury, the WorkersвЂ™ Compensation representative. All state agencies will adhere to all applicable state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal employment opportunity to any qualified individual with a disability.ДЎ. It is the policy of the State of Maine to provide reasonable accommodations in a timely manner for any qualified individual with a disability who is an employee or applicant for employment in accordance with provisions of the Maine Human Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING REQUESTS FROM EMPLOYEES AND APPLICANTS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION INCLUDING REASSIGNMENT

Request for reasonable accommodation form