Workplace Access
Universal Design in the Workplace
Universal Design in the Workplace
Universal Design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Universal Design principles have traditionally been applied to architecture, product design, and the learning environment, but these principles are highly applicable to the work environment as well.
Background on Universal Design
Pregnancy Accommodations
Pregnant and Parenting
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, and Employees
The University is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for pregnant and parenting students and employees. A number of University resources are available for this population (see Resources, below).
Examples of Reasonable Accommodations
Examples of Reasonable Accommodations for Employees:
Reassignment
If the DRC determines the University cannot effectively accommodate an employee in her current position, the employee may request permanent reassignment to a vacant University position for which she is qualified as a reasonable accommodation. Upon requesting reassignment, for a period of 30 days, the University will review vacant positions that have been posted to CareerTrack or have been submitted to be posted. Once an employee requests reassignment, he will be unable to return to h
Leave
The University has a number policies related to leave and pay options for when employees are on leave, such as the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act Policy, Paid Sick Time Policy, Personal Leave of Absence Policy, and Compassionate Transfer of Leave Policy. University leave policies can be found in the Classified Staff Policy Manual and University’s Handbook on Appointed Personnel.
Job Restructuring
Job restructuring includes redistributing marginal job functions and altering how a job function is performed. For example, if an employee is responsible for occasionally carrying heavy boxes upstairs in a building with no elevator but is no longer able to do so because of a disability or pregnancy, that job function could be redistributed to another employee as an accommodation. Alternatively, if an employee is responsible for occasionally delivering heavy boxes on the same floor, the University could provide a rolling cart as an accommodation.
Classroom Requests
If a disabled or pregnant employee has classroom-related accommodation requests, she should contact the DRC and submit an Accommodation Request Form with as much advance notice as possible.
Cart Service
The University’s Cart Service, which provides transportation via golf carts to areas of campus not serviced by Cat Tran, is facilitated by Parking and Transportation Services (PTS). The DRC determines whether students and employees are eligible for Cart Service on a permanent basis because of a disability, and Campus Health determines whether students and employees are eligible for temporary Cart Service because of an injury, condition, or pregnancy.
Flexible Work Arrangements
Flexible Work Arrangements as an Inclusive Workplace Practice
Requesting a Flexible Work Arrangement as an Accommodation
Additional Resources on Flexible Work Arrangements
Flexible Work Arrangements as an Inclusive Workplace Practice
Flexible work arrangements offer employees flexibility in terms of when and where work is performed. The following are examples of flexible work arrangements: