A-to-Z Index

Home > Disability Resources Committee (ADA) > Questions

I am an employee and have just been diagnosed with a disability. What do I do?
  • Talk to your Supervisor. You can feel comfortable talking to your supervisor about a disability without fear of an adverse action.
  • Your supervisor will give you the following forms:
  • Once the forms have been completed, take them to your supervisor.
  • Your supervisor, and someone from Human Resources, will evaluate the Diagnosis of Disability Form to determine if your disability qualifies for protection under the ADA.
  • If the answer is yes, then we will look at your Employee Work Profile (if applicable), the Functional Capacity Form, and the Employee Request for Accommodation Form to determine suitable accommodations. Sometimes we come up with a list of alternatives and we choose the one that best meets everyone's needs. After a period of time, we will evaluate the accommodation to see if it is working for everyone. If we find it is not working, we can possibly try something else.

You are welcome to contact Diane Ricketson, (540) 568-5533, in Human Resources at any time during the process if you need assistance.

Back to top

One of my employees just told me that he/she has a disability. What do I do?

You are welcome to contact Diane Ricketson, (540) 568-5533, in Human Resources at any time during the process if you need assistance.

Back to top

I am a student and have just been diagnosed with a disability. What do I do?

The first and most important step in requesting accommodations is to provide the Office of Disability Services with current documentation that validates and establishes your disability. Please visit the ODS website for specific guidelines regarding documentation.

Second, you should schedule a meeting with the Director of Disability Services. During that meeting your documentation will be reviewed, you will discuss how your disability affects you, explore specific reasonable accommodations and develop a written "Access Plan". Your Access Plan is a document that you use to help communicate the validity of your disability and your specific accommodation needs to your professors and others, as appropriate.

For further information, contact:

The Office of Disability Services
Wilson Hall, Room 107
Voice/TDD: (540) 568-6705
Fax: (540) 568-7099
Email: disability-svcs@jmu.edu
Website: www.jmu.edu/ods

Back to top

I am visiting a JMU event and I need certain accommodations. What do I do?

James Madison University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, genetic information, parental status, political affiliation, sexual orientation or disability (in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act Amendments Act).

Inquiries or request for reasonable accommodations may be made directly to the office sponsoring the event or the Office of Affirmative Action at (540) 568-6991.

Back to top

I am a faculty member and a student just told me he/she has a disability. What do I do?
  1. Ask them if they have registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) and refer them to ODS if they have not.
  2. Feel free to ask them how their disability affects them in order to gain a greater understanding of what specific challenges they might be facing.
  3. Consult with ODS regarding the impact of the disability on advising, scheduling, etc.
  4. Do not provide a requested accommodation at this time unless the disability is a visible one. Wait until the student presents you with an Access Plan Letter from ODS before you provide requested accommodations.

Recommended Disability Statement for Syllabi
If you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, you should contact the Office of Disability Services to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. If you have not previously contacted the Office of Disability Services, please do so as soon as possible. Disability Services will provide you with an Access Plan Letter that will verify your need for services and make recommendations for accommodations to be used in the classroom.

For further information, contact:

The Office of Disability Services
Wilson Hall, Room 107
Voice/TDD: (540) 568-6705
Fax: (540) 568-7099
Email: disability-svcs@jmu.edu
Website: www.jmu.edu/ods

Back to top