Access to Answers: You asked, so let’s talk. Answer Key for Panel Members.

Access to Answers:

You asked, so let’s talk.Answer Key for Panel Members

Qualified Reader

How can a “qualified reader” be a reasonable accommodation?

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Restrooms

For construction purposes, the court needs to block public access to the 3rd floor restroom – but it is the only unisex bathroom for persons with disabilities.

Is this permissible under the ADA?

3

Staff ADA Accommodations

Can we offer an ADA accommodation, or does the employee have to make a request for an accommodation?

4

Request for Restroom Breaks

Is the court required to accommodate a public user who asks for multiple restroom breaks during his/her hearing?

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Service/Comfort AnimalsWhat is a service animal?

What questions, if any, may we ask a public user entering the facility with a service animal?

Does the Judiciary have any restrictions on the use of service animals in courthouses?

How should we handle a public user entering the facility with a small dog in a purse or carrying case?

6

Visual Impairment

How can the court assist a juror, litigant, or other public user with a visual impairment?

7

Interview Question

Are we required to ask about the need for any reasonable accommodation at the end of an applicant’s interview – even though the question appears on the application?

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Interview Situation

What if an applicant volunteers information about the nature of his/her medical or psychological condition?

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Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)Environmental Illness (EI)

What accommodation can we provide a Judiciary employee who states that he or she suffers from severe allergies and has EI or MCS?

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ADA Accommodation

Are we required to lower work production or work quality standards to make an accommodation?

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ADA Accommodation

What is an unreasonable accommodation under the ADA?

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Accommodation Requests

Must we provide the exact accommodation requested by the employee?

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Diabetic Needs

Is the court required to grant additional breaks for a juror, litigant, or other public user who makes a request?

No food is allowed in the jury room. If a juror requests an ADA accommodation to bring food in the jury room, must we grant the request?

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Is Leave a Reasonable Accommodation?

What if the employee does not have any leave available?

What if the employee has used up all available FMLA leave?

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Anxiety

An employee requests an accommodation to be reassigned because his supervisor makes him anxious.

Does the ADA require us to comply with such a request?

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Documentation of the Need for Accommodation

Under what circumstances, if any, may the court request medical documentation to support an accommodation request from an employee?

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ADA Files / Medical Information

Do we maintain an ADA Accommodation file at our court?

Is the ADA Coordinator required to send a copy of all ADA Requests to OFP for central-recordkeeping?

How do we maintain any medical information received?

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ADA Statistical Data

Does the ADA Coordinator send OFP a copy of every ADA Accommodation Request?

Does the ADA Coordinator send a copy even if the request is denied?

What is the best way to get this information to OFP?

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