Access to Answers: You asked, so let’s talk. Answer Key for Panel Members

Qualified Reader How can a “qualified reader” be a reasonable accommodation? 2

Restrooms For construction purposes, the court needs to block public access to the 3rd floor restroom – but it is the only unisex bathroom for persons with disabilities. Is this permissible under the ADA? 3

Staff ADA Accommodations Can we offer an ADA accommodation, or does the employee have to make a request for an accommodation? 4

Request for Restroom Breaks Is the court required to accommodate a public user who asks for multiple restroom breaks during his/her hearing? 5

Service/Comfort Animals What is a service animal? What questions, if any, may we ask a public user entering the facility with a service animal? Does the Judiciary have any restrictions on the use of service animals in courthouses? How should we handle a public user entering the facility with a small dog in a purse or carrying case? 6

Visual Impairment How can the court assist a juror, litigant, or other public user with a visual impairment? 7

Interview Question Are we required to ask about the need for any reasonable accommodation at the end of an applicant’s interview – even though the question appears on the application? 8

Interview Situation What if an applicant volunteers information about the nature of his/her medical or psychological condition? 9

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) Environmental Illness (EI) What accommodation can we provide a Judiciary employee who states that he or she suffers from severe allergies and has EI or MCS? 10

ADA Accommodation Are we required to lower work production or work quality standards to make an accommodation? 11

ADA Accommodation What is an unreasonable accommodation under the ADA? 12

Accommodation Requests Must we provide the exact accommodation requested by the employee? 13

Diabetic Needs Is the court required to grant additional breaks for a juror, litigant, or other public user who makes a request? No food is allowed in the jury room. If a juror requests an ADA accommodation to bring food in the jury room, must we grant the request? 14

Is Leave a Reasonable Accommodation? What if the employee does not have any leave available? What if the employee has used up all available FMLA leave? 15

Anxiety An employee requests an accommodation to be reassigned because his supervisor makes him anxious. Does the ADA require us to comply with such a request? 16

Documentation of the Need for Accommodation Under what circumstances, if any, may the court request medical documentation to support an accommodation request from an employee? 17

ADA Files / Medical Information Do we maintain an ADA Accommodation file at our court? Is the ADA Coordinator required to send a copy of all ADA Requests to OFP for central- recordkeeping? How do we maintain any medical information received? 18

ADA Statistical Data Does the ADA Coordinator send OFP a copy of every ADA Accommodation Request? Does the ADA Coordinator send a copy even if the request is denied? What is the best way to get this information to OFP? 19