Employees With Disabilities Accommodation Policy

Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state law, Northwestern University will reasonably accommodate all employees with disabilities as defined by the statutes. Failure to reasonably accommodate employees with disabilities is a violation of federal/state law and campus policy.

To ensure that an employee can perform or continue to perform (if the disability occurs after employment) his/her job responsibilities, a reasonable accommodation by Northwestern University may include the purchase of special equipment, changing the physical layout of the workplace, restructuring job responsibilities and duties, modifying the work schedule, etc. Any accommodation that creates an "undue hardship" is contingent upon a number of variables, supervisors must contact the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Disability Services before disciplining, transferring, terminating or relieving an employee of job responsibilities due to disability.

Even though the employee provides input concerning the accommodation process, Northwestern University will determine what constitutes a reasonable accommodation on a case by case basis and reserves the right to request additional independent medical examinations, evaluations or other appropriate information at the University's expense.

Disability information is treated as confidential and will be shared with University administrators only on a need to know basis. Northwestern University will not provide accommodations without appropriate documentation.

The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Disability Services, Department of Human Resources is the administrative office responsible for the management, implementation and coordination of the Northwestern University Employees with Disabilities Accommodation Policy. All employment accommodations and/or employment decisions made due to disability must be approved by Director of Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Disability Services. Concerns with respect to architectural barriers and building/program disability related modifications should be directed to the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Disability Services.

For further information please contact:

Pamela L. Pirtle
Director of Equal Employment Opportunity,
Affirmative Action and Disability Services
Northwestern University
720 University Place
Evanston, IL 60208
847/491-7458 (Voice)
847/491-4070 (TTY)
847/467-1356 (Fax)