Disability

Employees with visual disabilities use different types of alternative formats that may include large print, electronic/diskette, Braille, or audiotape. The DOT Disability Resource Center (DRC) urges employees and supervisors to begin creating accessible documents and to learn about the benefits of DRC services.

Whether you're a supervisor, co-worker of an employee with a visual disability, or if you're sponsoring a meeting or event, information must be provided in alternative formats to ensure that employees with disabilities have equal opportunities in the DOT workplace.

Resources

DOT Reasonable Accommodation Order

The DOT Reasonable Accommodation Order (DOT Order 1011.1), "Procedures for Processing Reasonable Accommodation Requests by DOT Job Applicants and Employees with Disabilities," can be found here:

You can visit the links below to view and download DRC’s most commonly used forms.

Definitions and roster of staff positions with the Disability Resource Center.

In some situations, the employee and supervisor/decision maker might request an accommodation that the DRC cannot provide because that accommodation is beyond DRC’s authority.  If possible, in those instances the DRC will provide information and resources on how the accommodation can be obtained outside of the DRC, should the supervisor/decision maker and employee wish to pursue the accommodation.

The DRC has a Scooter Loan Program to assist managers and employees with short-term mobility issues such as minor surgical procedures, accidents, injuries or illnesses that restrict an employee's ability to move around the workplace. DOT employees with mobility issues of a long-term nature should follow DOT reasonable accommodation guidelines for seeking long-term accommodations through their direct supervisor and the DRC.

The DRC works closely with Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to provide technical assistance upon request, and to support their compliance program (which includes privacy, security and other IT regulatory requirements besides Section 508). This is accomplished through technical assistance and training. OCIO provides technical support for training as well as for other requests. DRC maintains the information contained on the OCIO Section 508 website including technical resources, various DOT policies, and functional guidelines. DRC also assists OCIO with the biennial Department of Justice report data collection.

DRC offers training and outreach to all DOT Departmental Offices/OAs on a range of disability-related employment topics. Managers and employees may request trainings or briefings to help improve understanding of disabilities, the use of assistive technology, and disability etiquette. When possible, employees with disabilities within the requesting organization's work group are encouraged to participate.

The DRC provides technical assistance to all DOT employees, offices and OAs. These services are separate from the products and services provided through the reasonable accommodation process. The DRC's technical assistance services can include answering disability related questions; working with third-parties such as IT to get assistive technology devices approved or supported by the Department/OA; 508 compliance; accessible meetings; program access, etc.