Applicants or employees may request reasonable accommodation for assistance, when applying or competing for a job, performing a job, or ensuring equal access to the benefit of employment, due to their medical condition. Requests for reasonable accommodation may be made either in writing or orally at any time during the application process or while employed. Requests for personal assistance services may be made either in writing or orally at any time by an employee with a targeted disability. Requests for reasonable accommodation can be submitted to the employee’s supervisor, manager, Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator (RAC), Human Resources office, or contact identified in a vacancy announcement. Additionally, employees with targeted disabilities can contact their supervisor, manager, and Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator (RAC) to request personal assistance services.
Once a request for an accommodation is received, the employee/applicant and the employee’s supervisor or Hiring Official will engage in an interactive process to determine what the individual needs and identify appropriate and effective reasonable accommodations and personal assistance services. The purpose of the interactive process is to determine what, if any, accommodation should be provided. Actively engaging in the interactive process will ensure timely and efficient processing of reasonable accommodation and pearsonal assistance services requests.
- Receipt of a request will be confirmed in writing within 5 business days.
- The Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator will request medical documentation, if necessary, within 10 business days of receiving the request.
- Once a request for an accommodation is received, the employee/applicant and the employee’s supervisor or Hiring Official will engage in an interactive process in a timely manner.
- The supervisor, manager, or Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator must approve or deny requests for Reasonable Accommodations and Personal Assistance Services within 30 business days, absent extenuating circumstances.
- If the requested reasonable accommodation or personal assistance services cannot be provided, an alternative accommodation will be provided that allows the employee to perform some or all the essential functions of their job if it is possible to do so without imposing undue hardship on the Department.
Examples of reasonable accommodations for applicants of positions within the Office of Inspector General include:
- Readers and sign language interpreters; and
- Accessible locations for recruitment, interviews, testing, and other components of the application process.
Activities which may require Personal Assistance Services include, but are not limited to:
- Removing and putting on clothing;
- Eating;
- Using the restroom;
- Getting in and out of a vehicle at the worksite; and
- Moving around the building.
Personal Assistance Services does not include performing medical procedures or monitoring, such as administering injections, monitoring blood pressure, or helping an individual with a targeted disability perform job-related tasks.
OIG is committed to an inclusive workplace environment where individuals with disabilities can quickly and easily request and obtain reasonable accommodation and personal assistance services. For questions or assistance with accessing reasonable accommodation and personal assistance services please contact OIG.RA-PAS@oig.usda.gov.