American Disabilities Act (ADA)

What is ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended, prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability.  Texas A&M University - Texarkana (TAMUT) is committed to maintaining an accessible campus community and providing reasonable workplace accommodations under the ADA to qualified employees.

Reasonable workplace accommodations for employees with sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with the Texas Labor Code, and/or for employees who qualify under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and Section 7(r) of the Fair Labor Standards Act may be made using the same process as outlined for ADA accommodation requests.

TAMUT ADA Coordinator

If you need an ADA workplace accommodation or need information regarding ADA, please contact the TAMUT ADA Coordinator (contact information below).  Personal information that may be exchanged in an effort to receive a reasonable workplace accommodation under the ADA will be treated in a confidential manner.

Requesting and ADA Workplace Accommodation

Employees submit requests for ADA workplace accommodations to the ADA Coordinator.  A meeting will be scheduled with the ADA Coordinator to discuss the process.  You may be asked for additional information so that your request can be directed to the appropriate office(s) for response.  Some requests may involve the services of more than one office.  The ADA Coordinator will assist in coordinating the services provided by other offices.  The following outlines the process:

Employee Responsibilities

• Review the current position description and determine the essential functions of the job which you cannot do or can do only with difficulty.
• Complete the ADA Workplace Accommodation Request - Employee Form to include information about your disability and the requested accommodation.
• Submit the completed ADA Workplace Accommodation Request - Employee Form to the ADA Coordinator.
• Meet with the ADA Coordinator to discuss the request process and determine if an Authorization for Limited Release of Medical Information is necessary.
• Attach the current position description to the ADA Workplace Accommodation Request - Medical Provider Form, have the medical provider complete the form fully, and ensure the form is submitted to the ADA Coordinator. 

 Medical Provider Responsibilities

• Review the essential functions of the job based on the current position description that is attached to the ADA Workplace Accommodation Request - Medical Provider Form.
• Fully complete and sign the form called ADA Workplace Accommodation Request - Medical Provider Form and return it to the employee or the TAMUT ADA Coordinator.

 ADA Coordinator Responsibilities

• Review with the employee the request process and determine if an Authorization for Limited Release of Medical Information is necessary.
• Provide and explain to the employee the ADA Workplace Accommodation Request - Employee Form and the ADA Workplace Accommodation Request - Medical Provider Form.
• Provide confirmation of receipt of the workplace accommodation request.
• Review the two (2) completed forms and determine:
  • If the individual has a disability as defined by the ADA;
  • If the employee is a qualified person with a disability;
  • Whether or not the requested workplace accommodation is reasonable;
  • Whether or not the requested workplace accommodation will enable the employee to meet the essential functions of the job; and
  • Whether or not there are other reasonable accommodations that are equally effective.

• Notify the employee in writing of the determination and follow up as needed and appropriate

Reporting an ADA Concern

Texas A&M University System Regulation 08.01.02, Civil Rights Protections for Individuals with Disabilities protects against discrimination based on disability status.  Employees may submit reports of discrimination based on a disability that involve accessibility to programs and facilities or discrimination in programs and activities to the ADA Coordinator.

If you are experiencing difficulty accessing a TAMUT location due to a disability, please contact the ADA Coordinator and identify the specific campus location and the access issue.

• ADA Workplace Accommodation Request - Employee Form
• ADA Workplace Accommodation Request - Medical Provider Form
• Authorization for Limited Release of Medical Information