Ref.: EOD-2004-16

U.S. Department of the Interior

Office of the Secretary

Washington, D.C. 20240

June 3, 2004

Memorandum

To: Assistant Secretaries

Solicitor

Inspector General

Heads of Bureaus and Offices

From: P. Lynn Scarlett

Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget

Subject: U.S. Department of the Interior Procedures for Handling Requests for Reasonable Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities

It is the policy of the Department of the Interior to provide reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants with disabilities, pursuant to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 791), the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Regulations at 29 CFR Part 1614 (Federal Sector Equal Employment Opportunity), and EEOC Management Directive 715. This policy is in support of the government’s national policy to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination provisions.

In accordance with the above-mentioned Federal statutes and regulations, the attached Departmental procedures for handling requests for Reasonable Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities were developed. The procedures were reviewed by EEOC and found to be in compliance with EEOC Policy Guidance on Executive Order 13164: Establishing Procedures to Facilitate the Provision of Reasonable Accommodation (October 20, 2000).

All Bureaus and Offices are expected to implement the Departmental procedures for handling requests for Reasonable Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities. Bureaus and Offices should widely disseminate the procedures and ensure that all personnel become knowledgeable in handling requests for reasonable accommodation. The reasonable accommodation procedures should be integrated into existing training for managers and supervisors, as well as employees involved in the recruiting and hiring processes. A copy of the procedures should be accessible to all employees and applicants.