Americans with Disabilities Act

LSU Health Shreveport (LSUHS) is committed to creating and maintaining a community that improves opportunities for all, including qualified individuals with disabilities. No qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of programs, services, and activities of LSUHS, or be subject to discrimination.

Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are afforded to qualified individuals. A reasonable accommodation is one that allows the person with a disability to participate in a comparable way as those without disabilities (for example, enabling an employee able to perform essential job functions) without imposing “undue hardship.” Reasonable accommodations shall be made in a timely manner and uniquely tailored to the individual requestor.

Undue hardship is explained by the ADA National Network as an “‘action requiring significant difficulty or expense’ when considered in light of a number of factors. These factors include the nature and cost of the accommodation in relation to the size, resources, nature, and structure of the employer's operation.”

Students

The LSUHS ADA Coordinator facilitates the process of academic accommodations for students with disabilities, and works in collaboration with the schools of LSUHS to ensure full participation in all activities, programs, and services.

Student Accommodation Procedures:

1. Submit a Student Student Request for Accommodation Form and supporting documentation to the LSUHS ADA Coordinator, Pamela Williams, by emailing pamela.williams@lsuhs.edu. Supporting documentation shall be current and comprehensive from a physician or licensed board-certified medical provider, who specializes in the requestor’s condition. For example, appropriate supporting documentation for individuals with learning disabilities includes a diagnosis, testing results, and descriptions of functional limitations in the educational setting from a licensed psychologist. While students may submit any existing IEP or 504 plan, please note that these alone may not be sufficient. Requests should be submitted no later than 30 days before the accommodation is needed or immediately following an injury or illness.
2. Consult with the ADA Coordinator during the interactive process about any specific needs, requests, or alternative, equally effective accommodations, where appropriate.
3. Provide your accommodation letter from the ADA Coordinator to your faculty members and the school to arrange accommodations.
4. Renew this process annually to check for possible adjustments of accommodations. Renewal for students will occur within 30 days of the start of their program’s academic calendar.

Employees

The LSUHS ADA Coordinator facilitates the accommodations process for employees with disabilities and works in collaboration with the employee’s supervisor and/or department head. Employees served include student employees, faculty, staff, and others in an employment capacity.

Employee Accommodation Procedures:

1. Submit an Employee Request for Accommodation Form and Medical Inquiry Form to the LSUHS ADA Coordinator, Pamela Williams, by emailing pamela.williams@lsuhs.edu. The employee’s physician or licensed board-certified medical provider, who specializes in their condition, shall complete the Medical Inquiry Form. Requests should be submitted no later than 30 days before the accommodation is needed or immediately following an injury or illness.
2. Consult with the ADA Coordinator during the interactive process to discuss specific needs, requests, or alternative, equally effective accommodations, where appropriate. In order to consider and address accommodation requests, the ADA Coordinator may consult with other campus administrative units, e.g. Human Resource Management, Physical Plant, Information Technology Group, as appropriate, on an as-needed basis, taking precautions to ensure the employee’s privacy with respect to any health conditions and treatment.
3. Implement reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability. The accommodations will be shared with the employee and, when necessary, the supervisor.  
4. Renew this process annually to check for possible adjustments of accommodations. Renewal for employees will occur within 30 days from the beginning of the fiscal year.

Program Participants and Visitors

Departments, organizations, auxiliaries, or affiliated entities are responsible for ensuring that their programs, events, goods, and services are accessible to the maximum extent feasible. Hosting departments and organizations are responsible for the cost of accommodations and also annual reporting to the ADA Coordinator on all accommodation requests. Program participants and visitors may submit a Request for Accommodation Form (RAF) to the LSUHS ADA Coordinator, Pamela Williams, by emailing pamela.williams@lsuhs.edu.

POLICY

Administrative Directive 6.6: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Office of Compliance and Risk Management is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy.

Voter Registration

In compliance with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, LSUHS offers individuals with disabilities the opportunity to register to vote. Individuals who wish to register to vote in the state of Louisiana may complete the online registration through the Secretary of State's website. Individuals with disabilities seeking to register to vote in Louisiana or other states may contact the LSUHS ADA Coordinator for assistance with voter registration.

FMLA

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job-protected leave for qualifying events. Qualifying events may include, but are not limited to, disability related needs. Human Resource Management is responsible for reviewing FMLA requests. See the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) webpage for additional information.