What is a Reasonable

Accommodation?
A change to the work environment
which enables a person with a disability
to perform the essential functions of the
job.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits
discrimination in employment on the
basis of disability, physical or mental,
and requires accommodations for
people with disabilities. Peace Corps is
also a partner agency in the
Computer/Electronic Accommodations
Program (CAP). CAP provides assistive
technology, equipment and services to
Federal employees, as well as training
for certain software. Feel free to view
their website to learn more about
assistive technology and how to submit
a request:
http://www.tricare.mil/cap/index.cfm
As always, the Office of Civil Rights &
Diversity is available for any questions
you may have.

Reasonable
Accommodation
Information for
Employees

How to Request
Reasonable
Accommodation

Give requests to Supervisor

What is a disability?

Requests can be made orally or

in writing

A disability, according to the Rehab Act,

must meet one of the following criteria:

Has a physical or mental

impairment that substantially
limits one or more of the major
life activities. Examples of a
major life activity include:
walking, seeing, hearing, talking,
sleeping.

Requests do not need to use any

particular words such as
disability or reasonable
accommodation.

Requests can be made by you, a

family member, doctor or any
other person acting on your
behalf

Has a record of such an

impairment; or

Is perceived or regarded as
having such impairment.

Peace Corps may ask for

appropriate medical information
related to the requested
accommodation if the
impairment is not obvious or not
already known.

Reasons Why a
Request May be
Denied

Medical documents may

inadequately establish that
the accommodation would
prove effective.

Request imposes an undue

hardship upon Peace Corps.

Determination of undue
hardship will be based on
several factors, including:

The nature and cost of the

accommodation needed;

The overall financial resources of the

facility making the reasonable
accommodation; the effect on expenses
and resources of the facility;

The size, number of employees, and

type and location of facilities of the
employer (if the facility involved in the
reasonable accommodation is part of a
larger entity);

Office of Civil Rights and Diversity

1111 20th St NW
Washington DC 20526
Suite 2310
Phone: 202-692-2139
Fax: (202) 692-1251
ocrd@peacecorps.gov

The type of operation of the employer,

including the structure and functions of
the workforce; the geographic
separateness, and the administrative or
fiscal relationship of the facility involved
in making the accommodation to the
employer;
The impact of the accommodation on
the operation of the facility.

Peace Corps
Employees Guide
Reasonable
Accommodation Process

Office of Civil Rights & Diversity

David King, OCRD Director
(202) 692-2137
dking@peacecorps.gov

Janet Bernal, EEO & Diversity Training

Specialist
Reasonable Accommodation, Advice,
and Guidance
(202) 692-2113
jbernal@peacecorps.gov