Reasonable Accommodations for Employees
If you have a health condition that affects your ability to perform your job, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
What is a Reasonable Accommodation?
A reasonable accommodation is a change or adjustment to a job or work environment that enables an individual with a disability to:
- Participate in the job application process,
- Perform the essential functions of a job, or
- Enjoy benefits and privileges of employment equal to those enjoyed by employees without disabilities.
Examples include modifying equipment, adjusting work schedules, or changing the physical layout of an office.
How to Request an Accommodation
The request process has two steps:
- Submit the online request form.
- Have your medical provider complete the ADA Medical Inquiry Form and return it to the Office for Campus Accessibility at ADAaccess@tulane.edu.
You may upload medical documents with your request or later through your employee portal.
Checking Your Request Status
After submitting your online request, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Our office will review your submission and follow up with updates. You can also log into your employee portal at any time using your Tulane Single Sign-On to view your status, upload additional documents, or request further accommodations.
For more information, visit adaccess.tulane.edu, email ADAaccess@tulane.edu, or call (504) 247-1774.
Note: The Equal Opportunity team in the Office of Human Resources investigates employee complaints of disability discrimination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under the ADA, “disability” is a legal term defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This includes people with a history of such an impairment or those regarded as having one.
Disabilities may be visible or non-apparent, such as chronic medical, sensory, learning, or mental health conditions.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 20 million of 68 million U.S. families include a member with a disability—making people with disabilities the nation’s largest minority group.
An accommodation is any change to how things are typically done that provides equal opportunity. Examples include sign language interpreters, materials in alternative formats (braille, large print, or digital), modified work schedules, designated ADA parking, or assistive listening devices.
Employers are not required to provide accommodations that would cause “undue hardship,” meaning significant difficulty or expense based on the employer’s size, resources, and structure. This determination is made on a case-by-case basis.
If a requested accommodation is deemed an undue hardship, the employer must consider alternative solutions or allow the employee to cover part of the cost if feasible.
Assistive technology promotes independence for individuals with disabilities by adapting how they interact with devices. Examples include speech recognition software, screen magnifiers, and screen readers.
What is Digital Accessibility?
Digital accessibility ensures that websites and technology can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. This includes tools like screen readers, captioning, and keyboard navigation.
How do I report disability discrimination?
To report discrimination, contact the Equal Opportunity and Resolution Management Team. Reports can be made anonymously and are handled in accordance with Tulane’s Equal Opportunity/Anti-Discrimination Policies.
Where can I learn more about my ADA rights?
- ADA National Network: adata.org
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN): askjan.org
- Southwest ADA Center: southwestada.org
- Louisiana Governor's Office: Disability Affairs Resources
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): eeoc.gov
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): ada.gov
- U.S. Department of Labor (DOL): dol.gov/odep
Source materials: ADA National Network, Cornell University, and the Job Accommodation Network.
If you have questions about the ADA, reasonable accommodations, or need help completing the request form, contact Sydney Cone, Job Accommodations Specialist, at (504) 247-1774, fax (504) 862-8435, or email ADAaccess@tulane.edu.
