Eligibility
Overview
Pursuant to Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Florida law, Rollins College will reasonably accommodate staff and faculty who are qualified individuals with disabilities. When a faculty or staff member is unable to perform the essential functions of a position because of a disability, Rollins College will evaluate requests for reasonable workplace accommodations that allow the staff or faculty member to perform the essential functions of a position and enjoy equal employment opportunity.
Failure to reasonably accommodate employees with disabilities and pregnant employees is a violation of federal and/or state law as well as College policy. Nevertheless, Rollins College is not required to provide an accommodation that imposes an undue hardship that would interfere with an employee’s ability to perform the essential functions of a job.
A reasonable accommodation need not be the specific accommodation requested by the staff or faculty member. If necessary, a staff or faculty member’s supervisor and Human Resources should explore alternative accommodations if the proposed accommodation is not reasonable. Generally, Rollins College will engage in an individualized and interactive process with the employee to provide a reasonable accommodation. Through the interactive process, accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Furthermore, Rollins College will provide reasonable accommodations for job applicants to search for a job opening and fully participate in all aspects of the recruitment process, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and our Accessibility Statement. Any applicant who requires reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or hiring process may contact us by phone at 407.646.2102 or in writing at humanresources@rollins.edu.
How to Request a Reasonable Accommodation
Staff and faculty members may initiate a request for any desired accommodation by:
- Contacting Symetra at 877-377-6773 to begin the process of accommodation by identifying as a qualified individual with a disability and requesting an accommodation. Rollins College partners with Symetra to manage the accommodation process. Please refer to the attached "How to File Accommodation Request" PDF document to the right.
- Please be prepared to describe your medical condition, the nature of the accommodation sought, and how the accommodation will enable you to perform the essential functions of your position.
- Once your Symetra claim is initiated, the Rollins College Human Resources team will be notified of your request(s).
- Cooperate with Rollins College’s good faith efforts to engage in an interactive process to accommodate your medical condition.
Supervisors and department chairs will be asked to discuss the basis of the employee’s request in an individualized and interactive process with the employee and Human Resources Department. Rollins College will respond promptly and effectively to accommodation requests. Symetra and/or Rollins College may request additional medical documentation if necessary, to identify a reasonable accommodation.
In determining whether to satisfy the request for accommodation, Human Resources, in conjunction with the individual's supervisor or department chair, will make an individualized assessment to:
- Identify the essential functions, core work-related duties of the individual's position.
- Consider the work-related duties of current or prior faculty and staff in that same job or position.
- Assess the impact of the requested accommodation on the performance of the essential functions of the individual’s position and the operation of the department.
- Consider the duration of the request (temporary or permanent in nature)
- Assess alternative accommodations.
- Consider financial impact.
- Review if there is a direct threat of harm to self and others.
- Other related factors.
Additional Resources
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues.