Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (including the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act) emphasizes individual abilities rather than disabilities, as well as protects the employment and access rights of impaired individuals. Individuals with disabilities should be given the same considerations and courtesies that are afforded to other applicants and employees.

A disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment, which limits one or more major life activities such as seeing, speaking, hearing, breathing, walking, or learning. The ADA also applies to individuals who have a record of such impairment or are regarded as having such impairment. The ADA does not protect illegal drug use, gambling, kleptomania, temporary injuries or illnesses.

Who Can Assist with ADA?

An employee (staff, faculty and student workers) who requires a reasonable accommodation should inform their supervisor. Departments can find support for responding to accommodation requests by contacting Employee Relations at Employee-Relations@tamu.edu or (979) 862-4027.

Texas A&M Galveston employees and departments should contact their HR office at 409-740-4532 or hr@tamug.edu.

Why is ADA Important?

• Increasing prevalence of disabilities in the US workforce
• Any one of us could need an accommodation
• Roughly one in four Americans will be disabled at some point in their lives
• It makes financial sense for employers
• Accommodations are often inexpensive or cost nothing at all
• Accommodations increase productivity, reduce turnover, and improve morale
• It's the law

ADA Accommodations

System Regulation 08.01.02, Civil Rights Protections for Individuals with Disabilities:

• Defines disability, qualified individual, reasonable accommodations, etc.
• Employers may ask disability related questions under certain circumstances
• IWD is responsible for informing member that an accommodation is needed for a disability

Member reasonable accommodation process:

• Interactive process
• Medical documentation
• Reasonable accommodation

ADA Packet Documents

• ADA Request for Accommodations
• Medical Questionnaire for Reasonable Accommodations Requests
• ADA: Accommodation Summary and Response
• ADA: Accommodation Discussion Notes
• Flowchart for ADA Accommodations Process for Texas A&M

ADA Guidance: Accommodations for University Sponsored Events

Texas A&M University sponsors events that are open to persons both within and outside the University community. With certain exceptions, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the University has an obligation to make reasonable Accommodations for University Sponsored Events for persons with disabilities, including members of the public, which will enable those persons to participate in the sponsored events.

This guide is not intended to be a substitute for assistance from Employee Relations (staff), the Office of the Dean of Faculties (faculty), or Services for Students with Disabilities (students). Please consult these individual offices for assistance in complying with the ADA.

ADA Training

The Office of Risk Ethics and Compliance (OREC) and the Employee Relations department are teaming together to present ADA training for Supervisors and for HR Liaisons. Please contact Employee Relations at Employee-Relations@tamu.edu or (979) 862-4027 to schedule training for your department.