1.3.1  Reasonable Accommodations

1.3.1.1 Reasonable Accommodations for Applicants

1.3.1.2 Reasonable Accommodations for Participants

1.3.1.2.1 Reasonable Accommodations and Good Cause

W-2Wisconsin Works agency staff must:

·        Follow the guidelines set forth by the ADAAmericans with Disabilities Act; and

·        Be familiar with the civil rights standards in service delivery and resources available to ensure the W-2 program is accessible to, and accommodates, individuals with disabilities. (See Appendix, W-2 Agency Civil Rights Obligations)

If an individual discloses a disability, reasonable accommodations must be offered.

The FEPFinancial and Employment Planner must incorporate into the participant’s EPEmployability Plan all disability-related services and accommodations recommended through a formal assessment. (See 5.5.1.2)  

1.3.1.1 Reasonable Accommodations for Applicants

Reasonable accommodations must be offered to applicants who have a disability. Examples include:

·        Reading materials aloud to applicants who have a learning disability; and

·        Going to an individual’s home, or other mutually-agreeable location, to complete the W-2 application in-person.

1.3.1.2 Reasonable Accommodations for Participants

W-2 agencies must:

1.     Ensure participants have the necessary services and reasonable accommodations to successfully engage in assigned W-2 activities; and

2.     Work with employers to put needed accommodations into place for participants transitioning to unsubsidized employment.

The W-2 agency is responsible for:

1.     Identifying the need for the accommodation;

2.     Identifying the accommodation itself; and

3.     Ensuring the accommodation is provided at all assigned activities such as a basic education lab or a work experience site.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is an online resource found at askjan.org that provides guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Case managers may find JAN helpful when identifying and arranging accommodations for a participant.  

JAN offers several ways to obtain confidential, personalized assistance, including by:

·        Phone,

·        Email, and

·        The Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR).

The FEP must work with the participant and their medical providers to identify any necessary accommodations. 

See the Appendix – Reasonable Accommodations for example accommodations agencies may need to arrange on behalf of a participant with disabilities.

1.3.1.2.1 Reasonable Accommodations and Good Cause

Good cause must be accepted without requiring further documentation when a formal assessment indicates that an individual’s impairment may become acute, resulting in the need for the individual to be absent from assigned activities.

See 11.3.1 for more information on good cause.

Individuals with chronic conditions affected by environmental factors must be given good cause for nonparticipation when certain conditions exist, such as air temperatures below a certain degree or an air quality alert.

Examples of conditions affected by environmental factors include but is not limited to:

·        Respiratory problems;

·        Multiple Sclerosis;

·        Severe allergies; and

·        Other conditions.

History: Release 24-01; Release 19-02; Release 16-01..