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It is the policy of Tennessee State University (“TSU” or “University”) to provide equal access to education and employment to all, regardless of disability. TSU fully complies with all laws, orders, regulations and policies promulgated for promoting and ensuring equal opportunity for persons who may have a disability, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Under TSU Procedure No. 6.6.1, it is the expressed policy of the University that discrimination or harassment based upon a disability is prohibited. If an applicant for employment, employee, student, or applicant for admission believes s/he has been discriminated against or harassed because they have a disability, they should contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) at 615-963-7435 or visit our office in the McWherter Administration Building, Suite 260.
OVERVIEW OF DISABILITY LAWS
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment in state and local governments, several different types of businesses and public institutions such as TSU.
To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.
Title I of the ADA requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the full range of employment-related opportunities available to others. For example, it prohibits discrimination in recruitment, hiring, promotions, training, pay, social activities, and other privileges of employment. It also restricts questions that can be asked about an applicant's disability before a job offer is made.
The ADA also requires that employers and entities that received federal financial assistance make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities, unless it results in undue hardship. At TSU, reasonable accommodations have been and will continue to be made to the extent possible for qualified disabled personnel. These accommodations are applicable to all phases of employment including recruitment, hiring, transfer, and training.
If a qualified applicant or qualified employee with a disability desires a reasonable accommodation at TSU, he or she should complete the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form, and then contact the Director of OEI at 615-963-7435.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disabilities in programs receiving federal financial assistance. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act states that "no qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under" any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance. As a recipient of federal funds, TSU is governed by Section 504.
Under Section 504, qualified students may not be given different benefits or services in a program on the basis of disability. This includes issues of access to programs and facilities as well as academic adjustments or accommodations for students with disabilities.
DISABILITIES SERVICES AT TSU
ADA or Section 504 Reasonable Accommodations for TSU Employees
Employees who seek reasonable accommodations due to a disability should contact OEI. Please access the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form for more information and to begin the process.
TSU Disability Services for Students
The Office of Disability Services coordinates university-wide services available to students with disabilities. If a student desires accommodations, they should contact the Director of Disabled Student Services at 615-963-7400 for information about that office’s services.
Employee Self-Identification Form
In accordance with the requirements of Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the University invites employees to voluntarily self-identify as individuals with disabilities. The University gathers this information as part of its affirmative action efforts.
To voluntarily self-identify to the University that you are an individual with a disability, complete the
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form
and send a copy of the completed form to the Office of Equity and Inclusion at
equity@tnstate.edu
.
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REQUESTS FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Reasonable accommodations for employees have been and will continue to be made to the extent possible. If a qualified disabled applicant or employee desires reasonable accommodations, they should contact the OEI at
615-963-7435.
Reasonable Accommodation Request Form
If a student desires accommodations, they should contact the
Office of Disability Services.
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