Reasonable Accommodations
The City University of New York (“CUNY”) is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments to allow qualified individuals the opportunity to participate in programs, activities and employment. CUNY recognizes that there may be times when employees and their supervisors, as well as current and prospective students and their instructors, can resolve accommodation requests informally. However, in many cases, such requests require a more formal process with the request being made to and considered by a designated decision-maker, with the opportunity for an appeal, as provided for in CUNY Procedures for Implementing Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments.
Reasonable Accommodation Requests for Employees
The following procedures apply to reasonable accommodations in connection with:
- a disability,
- pregnancy, childbirth, or a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth,
- religious practices, and
- status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offense or stalking.
The Office of Human Resources will thoroughly review all requests on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable federal, state and New York City law.
CUNY prohibits retaliation against individuals for requesting reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments, appealing decisions concerning such requests, or for making or participating in claims of discrimination.
All requests for reasonable accommodations and all supporting documentation, including but not limited to medical information, are considered confidential and will be shared with college officials only on a need-to-know basis. Such documentation will only be used to evaluate the requested accommodation. Employee and applicant accommodation documentation will be kept in a separate file in the Office for Human Resources or the Office of Recruitment and Diversity, depending on which office is evaluating the accommodation request. Student accommodation documentation will be kept in the Office for Student Disability Services, the Office of Student Affairs, or the Office of Recruitment and Diversity, depending on which office is evaluating the accommodation request.
How to Request Reasonable Accommodations for Employees
CUNY Reasonable Accommodation Request Form must be completed by the individual requesting a reasonable accommodation and submitted to the Office of Human Resources at HR@gc.cuny.edu. Information regarding requests for reasonable accommodations is confidential and will be shared only with appropriate personnel as necessary. In the case of an accommodation based on a status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offense or stalking, your request will be shared with Pinar Ozgu, the Title IX Coordinator. For accommodations relating to disability or pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, you may be required to complete a Health Care Provider Accommodation Assessment Form to support your request. Your cooperation is essential in order to ensure a productive, interactive process with the goal of finding an acceptable accommodation. Please note that you are protected from retaliation for making this request.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation with an HR specialist to discuss your options, please contact HR@gc.cuny.edu.
Accommodations for Employees Related to COVID-19
Employees who are requesting an accommodation due to their own COVID-19 illness should follow the current medical accommodation request process as outlined in the procedures above.
Employees who may be at heightened risk for severe illness if they contract COVID-19 may be eligible for a reasonable accommodation (i.e., to work a flexible schedule or remotely). Additional evolving information regarding “high risk” categories related to COVID can be found on the CDC website.
Employees who have concerns about returning to work onsite for other non-disability reasons (i.e., childcare, health of others in their household) may be eligible for other options (i.e., FMLA, leaves of absence, use of annual leave). Such non-disability accommodation requests are also known as general accommodation requests.
Current employees seeking an accommodation, general or medical, should contact the Office of Human Resources, who will carefully review all requests on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law.
For more information, you may visit COVID-19 and Employee Accommodations.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation with an HR specialist to discuss your options, please contact HR@gc.cuny.edu.
Accommodations for Students
Students seeking accommodations or academic adjustments should contact the Office of Student Disability Services. Students may be asked to complete an intake form and provide supporting documentation. The Director of Student Disability Services, or a designee, and the student will engage in an interactive process, which may include a consideration of a number of factors, such as the student’s limitations and the academic or other program requirements, with the goal of finding an acceptable accommodation or academic adjustment.
Appeal of Disability Accommodation and Academic Adjustment Decisions
Students, employees, applicants for employment and visitors may appeal the determinations concerning requested accommodations and academic adjustments by following the appeal process outlined in the CUNY Procedures for Implementing Reasonable Accommodations and Academic Adjustments.
