Accessible OHIO: How to help employees receive accommodations during hiring process

At Ohio University, we embrace that we have a collective responsibility to create the opportunity for people with disabilities to have an accessible and inclusive experience whether a student, employee, visitor, or community member.

There are many simple ways we can all contribute to the development and maintenance of an accessible and inclusive environment. "Accessible OHIO: It’s What We Do" highlights a series of actions that any of us may take – no expertise required! 

QUESTION: What are three things I can do to help employees (students, faculty and staff) receive accommodations during the application and hiring process?  

An accommodation during the hiring process is an adjustment or modification that allows a job candidate with a disability to fully participate in the application and hiring process.

Here are three things you can do to ensure accommodations are provided:

1. Include a statement in recruitment and application materials: “To request an alternate format or other accommodation to participate in the application or any part of the hiring process, please contact UHR at 740-593-1616 or email UHR@ohio.edu.”
    
2. Offer accommodations at each stage of the hiring process (screening interview, on campus interview, etc.) and designate a person to receive requests: “If you need an accommodation to participate in the [screening interview/on campus interview/etc.] process, please contact NAME at XXX@ohio.edu or call XXX-XXX-XXXX by [DATE].”
    
3. Provide information in advance that describes what candidates can anticipate during the interview process (including scheduled breaks, provision of food, distances and path of travel between interview meeting locations, description of campus tours and options to tours or transportation options) to offer a context for requesting accommodations.

The Office for University Accessibility is available to consult when accommodation requests are received.

For more information, contact the Office for University Accessibility at 740-593-2620 or https://www.ohio.edu/accessibility