An individual with a disability is a person who:
- Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- Has a record of such an impairment
- Is regarded as having such an impairment
Effective January 1, 2009, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) emphasized that the definition of disability should be broadly interpreted. Among other things, in determining whether an individual has a disability, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) should not consider the ameliorating effects of mitigating measures (other than ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses). The ADAAA also clarified that an impairment that is episodic in nature, or in remission, is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active.
Employees
UWM is required to reasonably accommodate the known disability of a qualified applicant/employee if it would not impose an “undue hardship” on UWM’s operation. Reasonable accommodations are adjustments or modifications provided by UWM to enable an individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of his or her position. Accommodations vary depending upon the needs of the individual applicant/employee.
- UW System Board of Regents Policy 14-10
- UWM Reasonable Accommodations Policies and Procedures: SAAP 5-3 [PDF]
- UWM Human Resources ADA Toolkit
- UWM Employee Reasonable Accommodation Request Form
- UWM ADA Accessibility Advisory Committee
- Job Accommodation Network
Federal Law
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by entities which receive federal financial assistance.
- Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits disability discrimination by employers with 15 or more employees.
State Law
- Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (WFEA) [PDF] (Wis. Stat. 111.31 et seq.) prohibits employment discrimination against qualified individuals by reason of disability.
Students
UWM is required to afford students with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in our programs. Sometimes this requires providing such students with appropriate academic adjustments and auxiliary aids. Examples of auxiliary aids that may be required are taped texts, notetakers, and sign language interpreters. UWM is not required to supply students with personal attendants, individually prescribed devices such as hearing aids and wheelchairs, or other devices or services of a personal nature.
- UW System Board of Regents Policy 14-10
- UWM Student Accessibility Resource Center
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Guide
Federal Law
- Section 104 of C.F.R. Title 34, Education prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by entities which receive federal financial assistance.
- Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits disability discrimination by public entities.
State Law
- Wis. Stat. 36.12 [PDF] prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.