Equal Opportunity Directive 2003-09

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DIRECTIVE 2003-09

To: Bureau Equal Opportunity Officers

From: E. Melodee Stith, Director, Office for Equal Opportunity

Subject: Department of the Interior Reasonable Accommodation Policy

It is the policy of the Department of the Interior to provide reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants for employment in compliance with Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, (29 U.S.C. 791), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) Regulations at 29 C.F.R. Part 1614, and EEOC's Management Directive 712 (Comprehensive Affirmative Action Programs for Hiring, Placement, and Advancement of Individuals with Handicaps). In accordance with the aforementioned Federal statutes and regulations, Bureaus/Offices will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified disabled employee or applicant for employment unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship.

Bureaus/Offices shall widely disseminate their reasonable accommodation procedures and must integrate the requirements of the policy into existing training for managers and supervisors, as well as for employees involved in the recruitment and hiring process.

Distribution: All Bureau/Office Equal Opportunity Officers

Inquiries: Samuel Bowser, Assistant Director for Workforce Diversity, Departmental Office for Equal Opportunity, (202) 208-5549

Expiration: Superseded by EOD-2004-19

Refer to DM Chapter 373DM15 at:

https://cms.doi.net/pmb/eeo/directives/Departmental-Manual.cfm