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The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) seek to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, transportation, and public accommodations. ADA prohibits employers from excluding people from jobs, services, activities or benefits based on their disabilities.

The ADA defines disability with respect to an individual as:

• A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual;
• A record of such an impairment; or
• Being regarded as having such impairment.

It also defines:

• A qualified individual as one who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the employment position that the individual holds or desires.
• A substantial limitation as an impairment that prevents the performance of a major life activity that the average person in the general population can perform; or a significant restriction as to the condition, manner or duration under which an individual can perform a particular major life activity as compared to the average person in the general population.
• A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to the job application process or the work environment that enables a qualified person with a disability to be considered for a position, or enjoy the same benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by similarly situated employees without disabilities.

Employees can initiate the accommodation process by requesting an accommodation for a disability to the Employee Benefits Department. If you believe you have a qualifying disability and are seeking accommodations in the workplace to enable you to perform your essential job functions, you should contact Leaves and ADA Management staff at (817) 814-2790 or leaves@fwisd.org to begin the interactive process to request a workplace accommodation.

Steps in the Process:

1. Employee submits a request in writing via email (scan or photo of documents) to Leaves and ADA Management at leaves@fwisd.org. See Forms below.
2. The employee provides Leaves and ADA Management adequate documentation from a qualified health care professional of a disability or impairment on the District’s “Health Care Provider Form.” Reasonable accommodations will not be provided prior to the receipt of adequate documentation as determined by the District.
3. After receiving the documentation from the health care provider, Leaves and ADA Management will review the medical information to determine its adequacy. If the information provided is incomplete, unclear or inconsistent, Leaves and ADA Management can request that the employee obtain additional or clarifying information from the heath care provider.
4. Leaves and ADA Management staff speak with the employee to identify and discuss accommodations to perform the essential functions of the job.
5. Leaves and ADA Management staff discuss requested accommodations with principal and/or supervisor. 
6. Leaves and ADA Management staff determine the feasibility and appropriateness of the requested accommodation(s) after reviewing all the information. If appropriate, the request will be sent to the ADA Accommodations Committee for further deliberations.
7. Leaves and ADA Management notifies the employee in writing of the District’s determination as to appropriate accommodation(s) to be implemented or the explanatory denial of the request or portions of the request. The principal/supervisor is also notified in writing.