Accommodations in Employment for Persons with Disabilities, Procedures

Definitions and Explanations

• Disability: Defined in the Human Rights Code as various conditions affecting physical and mental abilities.
• Accommodation: Adaptations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential duties.
• Communications Services: Includes captioning, conversion of print to braille, audiotapes, and enlarged print.
• Human Support Services: Personnel like attendants, interpreters, and readers.
• Technical Aids and Devices: Environmental control units, hoists, grips, TDDs, and specialized equipment.
• Position Redesign: Modification of duties and/or hours on a short or long-term basis.
• Employment Policy and Practice Modifications: Waiving or modifying working conditions.
• Workplace Modifications: Physical or technological alterations to the workplace.
• Work Hardening: Programs to increase an employee's tolerance for returning to work.
• Ergonomics: Task and/or equipment modifications to aid workers.
• Essential Duties: Necessary tasks to achieve the position's objectives.

General Guidelines

• Accommodation addresses current employment limitations and disclosed needs.
• The employee participates in the accommodation process with relevant departments.
• The University attempts to re-employ workers under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
• A variety of accommodations may be provided, including communication, human support, technical aids, and workplace modifications.

Hiring Process and Job Applicants with Disabilities

• Applicants may request accommodation at any time during the hiring process.
• Requests are coordinated through the hiring unit/department and involve DHR/ER or DOHS.

Short-Term Accommodation of Employees

• The University provides accommodation to prevent temporary inability to perform essential duties.
• DOHS coordinates the process, prepares plans, and assesses the need for work hardening or further medical intervention.

Long-Term Accommodation of Employees

• The University aims to provide long-term accommodation to enable employees to fulfill essential duties.
• DOHS assesses the situation and may refer the employee to DHR/ER if necessary.
• If immediate accommodation is not possible, interim methods may be considered.

Application to the Accommodation Fund

• The Department of Occupational Health and Safety administers the fund for One Time Only expenditures.
• Funds are used for special equipment, initiating accommodations, and renovations.
• Collegiate agreements may provide funding, or the fund covers remaining costs.

Summary of Operational Responsibilities

Operational responsibilities are shared among all members of the York University community, with specific accountability for certain segments of the Policy.