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NOAA Workforce Management Office
Serving NOAA's Most Valuable Asset - People
NOAA's Reasonable Accommodation Program
What is a Reasonable Accommodation?
A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done that would enable an individual with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities. Once a reasonable accommodation request is received, the Interactive Process begins, to determine what, if any, accommodation should be provided. The Reasonable Accommodation Chart gives a brief overview of the entire process. If you have questions regarding the Reasonable Accommodation Program you may contact your supervisor, or Debbie Ferrara, NOAA's Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator (RAC) at (816) 426-7822 or Debbie.A.Ferrara@noaa.gov.
NOAA provides reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities.
An individual with a disability is one who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
To request an accommodation:
- Please complete the employee portion (Part A) of Form CD-575, Request for Reasonable Accommodation and submit the entire form to your supervisor or the RAC (contact information above);
- Please read carefully the document Assisting Your Health Care Provider in Preparing Your Medical Documentation. If you have a hidden disability you need to provide medical documentation to the RAC. The documentation from your health care provider must address the elements in the document mentioned above.
- The RAC will contact you to discuss your case.
Important Facts:
- NOAA follows Departmental Administrative Order (DAO) #215-10 Reasonable Accommodation for Employees and Applicants With Disabilities
- No request should be granted or denied without first contacting the RAC. This is to ensure compliance with law/policy and for recordkeeping purposes.
- Requests for accommodation should be reviewed by the RAC as soon as they are received by management. Requests need to be processed quickly to comply with Departmental policy.
- Requests for reasonable accommodation are CONFIDENTIAL. Only those persons with a "need to know" may be informed of the existence of a request.
NOAA's Premium Class Travel Accommodations
Effective June 15, 2012, NOAA's Deputy Under Secretary is the only authorizing official who can approve premium class travel accommodations. Your supervisor should consult with the RAC to determine if premium class travel accommodation or choice/premium seating can be provided based on your medical disability and in accordance with DAO 215-10.
Helpful Links:
- Sign Language Interpreting Services
- Office of Personnel Management - Reasonable Accommodation
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues to managers and employees.
- The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), a program of the Department of Defense, provides assistive technology and services to people with disabilities, Federal managers, supervisors, IT professionals, and Wounded Services Members. CAP provides necessary accommodations FREE OF CHARGE to federal agencies.
- Workers Compensation is managed by Contract Claims Services (CCSI). CCSI, a contractor for DOC, performs the claims processing function for all of DOC and its Bureaus. CCSI can be reached at 1-877-743-2231 ext. 2956. For additional questions, you may contact Jennifer Heyob, 301-713-6350, Jennifer.Heyob@noaa.gov.
Page last edited: July 23, 2012
