Requesting Accommodations

How to Request a Religous Accommodation

What is a religious accommodation?

Religious Accommodation means an adjustment to the work or academic environment that will allow the individual to comply with a persons sincerely held religious beliefs. A Religious Accommodation will not necessarily be an individual’s preferred accommodation, nor create an undue hardship or would fundamentally alter the University work, program and/or mission.

Examples of religious accommodations may include, but are not limited to, an employee needs an exception to the unit’s dress and grooming policy for a religious practice, a schedule change so that the individual can attend religious services, a request for unpaid leave or excused absence from class to attend a religious ceremony, or a request for a break schedule that will permit observance of daily rituals. These are examples of possible accommodations, but the type received is based on the particular facts of each individual (case-by-case basis).

Religious beliefs or practices are sincerely held moral or ethical beliefs held with the strength of traditional religious views. Includes traditional, organized religions but also sincerely held religious beliefs that are not part of a formal church or sect. All aspects of religious belief and observance that are sincerely held will be considered. Personal preferences, or social, political, or economic philosophies, are not considered religious beliefs.

Process of Requesting

Employees

To request an accommodation, the individual who needs the accommodation or someone who can provide the required information on behalf of the individual should completed the online reasonable accommodation request form by clicking the following link: Accommodation Request Online Form

Managers or others in the management chain can submit a referral notice by using the online request form. A notice of referral will be submitted to the individual identified on the third-party report by OEOC-AAS.

Students

When students seek to be excused from class for religious reasons, they are expected to provide their instructors with a schedule of religious holidays that they intend to observe, in writing, before the completion of the first week of classes. The instructor’s Schedule of Classes should inform students of the University calendar of events, including class meeting and final examination dates, so that before students enroll in a course, they can take into account their own calendar of religious observances. Scheduling of classes should be done with recognition of religious observances where practicable. However, instructors are expected to allow students to make up work scheduled for dates during which the student’s religious observances are scheduled, to the extent practicable. Reference Academic Policy Students Religious Observances: Faculty Handbook 2.8.

Students who need religious accommodations with housing or dining should work with University Housing to address those concerns. Questions regarding any other types of religious accommodations may be directed to the Director of Accommodation and Accessibility Services.

How to Request a Disability Accommodation

Employees - How to Request Accommodations for a Disability

Who is eligible for a Reasonable Accommodation?

An individual meets the definition of “disability” that would qualify them for reasonable accommodations if they have “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

This process applies to all applicants seeking employment with the University, University employees (including student employees like GA/TA/RA, visitors to campus and others participating in campus programs or receiving campus services.

Individuals with disabilities are asked to update their disability status within Workday. Information on why individuals are asked to self-identify and instructions on how to make updates in Workday can be found on the Accessibility Website.

Process of Requesting

For additional information, review the Pocket - Quick Reference Guide - English.

Medical Statement Forms

Additionally, for disability related requests, individuals may be asked to provide a Medical Statement Form from a licensed physician or other health care provider certifying the nature and type of physical or mental disability of the employee prior to making any decision regarding the request for reasonable accommodation.

The Medical Statement Form will be required, unless the disability/impairment is obvious or visible and the request corresponds with the disability. Employees may consult with the Director of Accommodation and Accessibility Services or the Accommodation Specialist as to whether the Medical Statement Form is required for their request.

This is to help the University understand the condition, capacities, or limitations in conjunction with the request.

The following Medical Statement Forms should be used, as appropriate:

Reasonable Accommodation Medical Statement Form (for disability accommodations only, downloadable form to be submitted to Medical Provider and attached to the online Accommodation Request Form)
Leave Medical Statement Form (for leave accommodations only, downloadable form to be submitted to Medical Provider and attached to the online Accommodation Request Form)
Remote Work Medical Statement Form (for leave or remote work accommodations only, downloadable form to be submitted to Medical Provider and attached to the online Accommodation Request Form)
Travel Accommodation Medical Statement Form (for travel accommodations only, downloadable form to be submitted to Medical Provider and attached to the online Accommodation Request Form)

Medical information obtained in connection with a request for reasonable accommodation shall be maintained by OEOC-AAS in files separate from the individual’s personnel file. Such information should be restricted to a need-to-know basis. OEOC-AAS may share certain information with an employee’s supervisor or other University official(s) as necessary to make appropriate determinations on a reasonable accommodation request. Employees receiving such information in connection with the reasonable accommodation process must keep the information confidential.

Employees are not required nor encouraged to disclose medical information or information about an impairment(s) to their supervisors.

The medical statement form should be sent directly to OEOC-AAS either by fax at 479.575.7637 or by email to access@uark.edu. It can also mail the information physically to:

OEOC-AAS
346 N. West Avenue
1 University of Arkansas
4 WAAX Fayetteville, AR 72701

Individuals are strongly encouraged to use the online reporting form and the medical statement form, as appropriate. These forms are designed to obtain sufficient information for the University to respond effectively to your request for accommodation. Not using the forms or providing incomplete information may delay the accommodation process due to the additional time needed to clarify your needs and related medical information.

If at any point you need assistance with either form, contact OEOC-AAS.

Applicants - How to Request Accommodations for a Disability

To ensure the timeliness of the request, applicants are encouraged to request an accommodation as early as possible in the application process. The following is information for the different phases of the application process:

Completing the online job application:

For in-person assistance in completing the online job application form, please email hr@uark.edu or call 479-575-5351 to set up an appointment. Individuals must still be mindful of applicable health guidelines for in-person appointments.

Interview process:

Applicants should inform the search committee/hiring official, with a cc to the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation Services at access@uark.edu, as soon as possible prior to the interview to request an accommodation.

The search committee/hiring official can proceed with fulfilling the accommodation request but must inform OEOC-AAS of the request and what was provided. If assistance is needed, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation Services at access@uark.edu or 479-575-6208.

Applicants are required to submit a request for each position for which they have applied.

If an applicant needs additional assistance, has not received the assistance requested, or has general questions, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodation Services at access@uark.edu or 479-575-6208.