Disability and Religious Accommodations
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment in which dignity, decency, and respect are the hallmarks of its culture. This includes embracing diversity within our workforce, prohibiting discrimination based on disability status and religion, and providing reasonable accommodation to allow equal opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities, and eliminate conflicts for the sincerely held religious beliefs or practices of employees and applicants.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute which provides civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, public accommodations, State and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA was designed to remove barriers which prevent qualified individuals with disabilities from enjoying the same opportunities that are available to persons without disabilities. Similar protections are provided by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The ADA provides that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The University will provide reasonable accommodations in employment to individuals with disabilities unless the reasonable accommodation would impose an undue hardship of the operation of the University's business or would change an essential function of the position. The Office of Human Resources is committed to engaging in an interactive process to facilitate an accommodation when a request is made.
Disability Accommodations
What is a reasonable accommodation?
A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, employment practice, or the work environment that makes it possible for a qualified individual with a disability to enjoy an equal employment opportunity. The university will provide a reasonable accommodation to the known disability of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship.
Accommodation Process
The disability accommodation process applies to all UL Lafayette employees including temporary and student employees. Please review the Employee's Guide to the ADA Accommodation Process for more information.
You may view the Disability Accommodation for Applicants and Employees Policy on the University’s Policy webpage.
Title VII and Religious Accommodations
In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Guidelines on Discrimination Because of Religion, the University supports the employment of all qualified employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination based on religious beliefs, practices, or affiliation.
The university will make good faith efforts to provide reasonable religious accommodation to eliminate conflict with an individual’s sincerely held religious beliefs and practices unless providing such an accommodation would impose an undue hardship or would undermine the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. Social, political, or economic philosophies, or personal preferences, are not “religious” beliefs protected under Title VII.
Religious Accommodations
What is a religious accommodation?
A religious accommodation is any change in the application process, work schedule or environment, or in the way work assignments are customarily done that enables an employee or applicant for employment to participate in their religious practice or belief which may be in conflict with University policy, procedure, or employment requirement. The University will make good faith efforts to provide reasonable religious accommodation unless providing such an accommodation would cause more than a minimal burden on the University’s business operation or would undermine the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. Requests for accommodation based on social, political, or economic philosophies, or mere personal preference, will not be considered for religious accommodation.
Accommodation Process
The religious accommodation process applies to all UL Lafayette employees including temporary and student employees. Please review the Guide to the Religious Accommodation Process for more information.
If you have additional questions or require assistance with requesting a disability or religious accommodation, please contact the Senior Benefits and ADA Coordinator at (337) 482-1014 or hrcompliance@louisiana.edu.