Equal Employment Office
Guidelines Regarding Services for Persons with Disabilities
Responsibilities
FHSU - Fort Hays State University acknowledges its responsibilities
under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Those obligations include providing "reasonable
accommodations" to "otherwise qualified" persons who have a "disability"
as defined by the ADA.
Persons with Disabilities - It is the responsibility
of persons with a disability to notify the university of that disability
and the need for accommodations. Assistance from qualified experts
may be necessary to determine whether an accommodation requested is "reasonable."
- Affirmative Action
- Employment Policy
- Harassment Policy
- Notice of Accessibility
- Notice of Non-Discrimination
- Protected Class & Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure
These policies are printed as appropriate in the Faculty
Handbook, Classified Staff Handbook and Student Handbook. The Notice
of Non-discrimination and Notice of Accessibility are posted in
numerous locations across campus. Copies of the Affirmative Action
Policy, Employment Policy, Harassment Policy and Protected Class
& Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure are available in brochure
form from any of the following offices: Affirmative Action, President,
Provost, Vice President for Administration and Finance, Vice President
for Student Affairs, Personnel, Academic Deans and Employee Relations.
Accommodations
Self-evaluation and Transition Plan - Fort Hays State University
has completed its self-evaluation and transition plan. Program accessibility,
for purposes of ADA compliance, is measured by overall program
accessibility. A public entity is not required to make structural
changes in existing facilities where other methods (such as alternate
accessible locations) are effective in achieving compliance. As
demonstrated by that self-evaluation, FHSU is able to provide overall
program accessibility through nonstructural accommodations.
Case by Case Accommodations - The ADA defines a person with a disability
as one who:
- has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or
- has a record or history of such an impairment, or
- is perceived or regarded as having such an impairment.
28 C.F.R. section 35. 104.
This definition includes a variety of disabilities
necessitating a case by case approach in providing reasonable
accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may include modified
schedules, reassignment, auxiliary aides and services or modification
to a work site. (See 29 C.F.R. section 130.2(o)(2)(I),(ii)).
Emergency Procedures
The safety and well being of all university personnel
(students, faculty and staff) is important to Fort Hays State University.
In that regard, the university has developed an Emergency Management
Procedure which includes definitions, an organizational chain,
designation of responsibilities, a building evacuation policy and
communications structure. Persons using FHSU facilities should
be aware of the emergency management procedure and should familiarize
themselves with "safe routes" as posted in each building.
FHSU Offices to Contact
Disability issues are handled by a variety of offices
on the FHSU campus. Below is a list of those offices and a brief
description of the types of issues handled by each:
Equal Employment Opportunity Office: The EEO Office (628-4033)
deals with concerns of discrimination or harassment based upon
disability.
Coordinator of Services for Students with
Disabilities: The Coordinator
of Services for Students with Disabilities is located in the Kelly Center (628-4401). This is the appropriate office for students,
faculty or staff to contact to notify the university of a student's
disability and initiate a request for a service. Students and faculty
may also contact the office to coordinate disability services
for learning disabled and cognitively impaired students.
Geneva Herndon Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic:
Students, faculty and staff may contact the Geneva Herndon Speech-Language-Hearing
Clinic (628-5366) for comprehensive services in speech, language
and hearing.
Kelly Center: The Kelly Center (628-4401) provides a variety of
services to FHSU students, faculty and staff. Services include
academic support career planning programs, alcohol/drug assistance,
personal counseling, psychological services and standardized testing
(ACT, PPST, GRE, etc.).
Personnel Office: The Personnel Office (628-4462) is the appropriate
office for classified or unclassified employees to contact to notify
the university of the disability and to initiate a request for
reasonable accommodation.
Physical Plant: The Physical Plant (628-4424)
is responsible for building and grounds maintenance. Concerns regarding
items such as snow removal, operation of elevators and automatic
door openers, door hardware, restroom fixtures and furniture design
or layout may be addressed through this office.
Student Health Center: The Student Health Center (628-4293)
is available to students, faculty and staff to promote health and
to treat acute illnesses as well as some chronic diseases. Staff
can assist with physician referrals.
University Police: Students may contact the University Police office
(625-5304) in case of emergency.
For more detailed information on working with persons with disabilities,
please review the Accessibility section of the Faculty Handbook
and/or the Handbook on Educational Access available through the
Kelly Center.
Organizations and Committees
Two organizations/committees at FHSU deal with
issues involving disabilities.
Accessibility for the Disabled Committee: The ADC is comprised
of students, faculty and staff. The Affirmative Action Officer
and a representative from Facilities Planning are ad hoc members
of the committee. Committee appointments are effective for one
year. The committee discusses issues related to disabilities and
makes recommendations to administration regarding campus modifications
and policy. The Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities
(628-4276) is the committee chair.
Equal Opportunity Employment Committee: This Committee
is comprised of students, faculty and staff. members serve one-year
appointments. The committee discusses policy and other issues related
to protected classes (race, gender, religion, national origin,
age disability, and veteran status). The EEO Officer
(628-4033) serves as committee chair.