Nuts & Bolts of Reasonable Accommodation


Logistics
Date & Time: September 24th & 25th, 2024 (Thursday-Friday) 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Silver Spring, MD (In-Person) or via Zoom for Government
Instructor: Deryn Sumner & Shannon Leary
Attend one or both days!
Bundled or separate pricing available – see below for details and to download the registration form
Course Summary
Attendees will learn about the essentials of Disability Law and the Reasonable Accommodation process, including who is entitled to receive reasonable accommodation for a disability, different types of claims that can be raised under a theory of disability discrimination, and best practices agencies need to know to effectively respond to requests for reasonable accommodations. The course also outlines ways to effectively accommodate mental disabilities in the workplace, and how to address performance and conduct issues where the employee has requested or has a reasonable accommodation. We will also focus on the most often-requested accommodations, leave and telework, as well as what obligations agencies have and best practices for responding to those requests. Attendees will learn about the circumstances when medical documentation is needed to respond to reasonable accommodation requests, fitness-for-duty examinations and the direct threat assessment, and the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of employees’ medical information. This course is ideal for Agency civil rights staff, EEO and Human Resources staff, reasonable accommodation coordinators, Agency legal representatives or other individuals responsible for defending the Agency, as well as Union stewards who advise and represent bargaining unit employees.
Day 1 Topics
- Post-ADAAA: Who Is and Isn’t Covered Under the Amendments Act
- Proper Procedures for Responding to Requests for Accommodation
- Regarded As, Record Of, and Association With Individuals With Disabilities
- Other Theories of Disability Discrimination: Harassment, Disparate Treatment, Disparate Impact, Retaliation for Requesting RA
- How to Conduct an Accurate Assessment of Essential Functions in Order to Respond to a RA Request
Day 2 Topics
- Thinking Outside the Box: Creative Approaches to Responding to Reasonable Accommodation Requests
- When Employers Can (And When They Need To) Request Medical Documentation
- Accommodating Hidden Versus Obvious Disabilities
- Telework As A Reasonable Accommodation
- Reassignment: The Accommodation of Last Resort
- Establishing An Undue Hardship Defense
Pricing
Single Day: $800 per attendee
Bundled: Two days at $1,400 per attendee – save $200