The stories in this section highlight ways accommodations have helped employees at work. They are provided for informational purposes only.
Any accommodation must be requested and approved through the interactive process, and solutions are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on individual needs and job requirements.
Stories of accommodations in action
- An office manager with ADHD was provided noise-canceling headphones, a white noise machine, and designated portions of the day for uninterrupted work. This helped them manage distraction and sensory sensitivities to focus on their work.
- A custodian with a chronic knee condition was accommodated with a different run assignment that removed any stair use, allowing them to continue performing essential tasks safely.
- An HR coordinator with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was provided the ability to work remotely during symptom flare-ups, ensuring continuity of work and the ability to better manage their symptoms.
- A faculty member with multiple sclerosis experienced a flare-up that affected their ability to work. As an accommodation, they were granted a one year tenure clock extension to allow additional time to complete their research and teaching in order to meet tenure requirements.
- A pregnant outreach specialist with temporary lifting and walking limitations related to her pregnancy was accommodated by assigning additional support at events to assist with transporting supplies and setting up. She was also provided with a rolling cart to safely move materials.
- A graduate research lab assistant with arthritis in their hands received an ergonomic evaluation, which led to accommodations including ergonomic lab tools with modified grips, adjustable-height work surfaces, and ergonomic pipetting equipment. These changes allowed the employee to carry out lab procedures safely and effectively while contributing fully to research projects.
- An animal care technician with diabetes was allowed to use their break time in shorter blocks to have time to check blood sugar levels and eat snacks as needed to manage their condition.
- A student services advisor with depression and anxiety was approved for a flexible work schedule to accommodate medication side effects and sleep-related limitations. They were allowed to start work up to two hours later than usual and either make up the time the same day or use available leave time.
- A project manager who needed to express breast milk after returning to work was accommodated by providing flexibility in scheduling and allowing certain duties—such as meetings, project documentation, and stakeholder communications—to be performed at different times to ensure uninterrupted pumping breaks.
Consult your DDR
Accommodations can be created by consulting with a Divisional Disability Representative (DDR).
Contacting your DDR is the first step. Even if you are unsure if you qualify for an accommodation, we encourage you to reach out to begin a conversation.
