Workplace Accommodation
UT Dallas seeks to provide accommodations for any employee with disability-related limitations or restrictions that may impact their ability to perform their job.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an accommodation is a reasonable modification or adjustment to the work environment that enables a qualified person with a disability to perform the essential functions of a position, or to enjoy the same benefits and privileges of employment as enjoyed by non-disabled employees.
Staff or faculty requiring accommodations should contact Employee Relations by email at employeerelations@utdallas.edu.
Students requiring accommodations should contact the AccessAbility Resource Center.
Visitors to UT Dallas requiring accommodations should contact the ADA Coordinator by phone at 972-883-2306 or email ADACoordinator@utdallas.edu .
Sign Language Interpreting and Captioning Requests
UT Dallas employees should contact the employeerelations@utdallas.edu to request sign language interpreting and captioning services.
Requests must be made at least three business days in advance of the need for an interpreter or captioning. Employees should notify the Employee Relations team if any changes are needed to an existing request.
Students requiring sign language interpreting and captioning services should contact the AccessAbility Resource Center.
Ergonomics
An accommodation may not always be necessary. There may be times when adjustment(s) to the workspace can help employees reach increased efficiency and comfort. UTD employees who need an ergonomic evaluation should contact the Occupational Safety & Health Manager to request an ergonomic evaluation.
A typical ergonomic assessment will take less than 30 minutes to complete. Any immediate changes that can be made to improve the workspace will be identified at the time of the assessment. Additional recommendations will be provided in a report submitted to the employee and their supervisor.
In the event that the evaluation leads to a recommendation of a workplace accommodation, Employee Relations will work with Campus Occupational Health & Safety to gather information on the modifications recommended to the workplace. Employee Relations will engage with the employee in the interactive accommodation process to determine whether the employee can be reasonably accommodated.
Pregnancy
UT Dallas is firmly committed to protecting the rights of expectant mothers and complying with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. UT Dallas treats students, faculty, and staff affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions in the same manner as other individuals unable to work or participate in their education because of their physical condition.
Staff and faculty requiring pregnancy-related accommodations should contact employeerelations@utdallas.edu to begin the interactive process to assess accommodations. Accommodation determinations are made on a case-by-case basis and may remain in effect through the length of the employee’s pregnancy. Individuals requiring Family and Medical Leave due to their pregnancy should contact the Leave Administration Manager at loa@utdallas.edu.
Students requiring pregnancy-related accommodations should contact the AccessAbility Resource Center. Students requiring leave due to their pregnancy should contact the Dean of Students Office.
Service Animals
An employee’s request for a service animal as a reasonable accommodation in the workplace is treated as any other accommodation request. The employee should work with Employee Relations staff to follow the interactive accommodation process.
Students requiring service animals should reach out to the AccessAbility Resource Center.
Religious Accommodations
There may be times when a work requirement conflicts with religious observances and practices. If that happens, employees may request a reasonable accommodation of their religious practices. In all cases, the employee should reach out to Employee Relations staff to discuss their request.
If an employee wishes to observe a religious holiday on a day the University is scheduled to be open, please consult the Religious Holiday section of UTD Policy UTDBP3048 for guidance.
Students requiring a religious accommodation should contact the Dean of Students Office.