The ADA Resource Center at KU: Broadening Supportive Resources for the KU Community

An interview with Jeff Chasen, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Director of the ADA Resource Center

ADA is a massive piece of legislation. Can you give us the quick version of what disabilities ADA covers?

In short, the ADA covers physical, mental, visual, and auditory conditions or disorders that prevent an individual from participating in major life activities. Because medical knowledge and life circumstances are constantly evolving, there is no sustainable way to ensure that every single disability could be listed. As such, the ADA provides definitions and requires that disability determinations and accommodations are done on a case-by-case basis. For information about Employment Accommodations at KU, you will find a wealth of information online, or feel free to contact KU’s ADA Resource Center.

How does the ADA Resource Center support staff across campus?

We strive to fulfill our mission of removing barriers, ensuring procedures for reasonable accommodations, promoting disability cultural competence, complying with the ADA, encouraging KU community members with disabilities to be self-advocates, and weaving disability considerations into all layers of KU’s fabric. Our ultimate goal is for every member of the KU community to be included in campus life.

For staff who may not need accommodations at this juncture, are there still ways for them to engage with your office? If so, how?

We are available to answer questions and consult with anyone who isn’t sure whether an accommodation may be appropriate or what an accommodation might even be. Beyond accommodations, our office is also focused on employee wellness. One of the ways we deliver this is by providing ergonomic evaluations to help prevent conditions (such as wrist and back pain) from developing into something more severe. If a person is experiencing an issue in the workplace that is causing irritation or distress and is seeking resources, but isn’t sure where to find them, the ADA Resource Center is a great place to ask those questions. We can offer resources that can help or direct folks toward a KU unit or external organization that can provide services. And at any time, please refer to the Accessible KU website, which is a broad and growing online resource.