Reasonable Accommodations &
Interactive Dialogue

Southwest Care Center is committed to complying with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing reasonable accommodations of individuals by providing a clear and consistent process for identifying and implementing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

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SCC uses an interactive process to facilitate a collaborative dialogue between the employee (or applicant) and the employer—to determine what reasonable accommodations may enable the individual to perform the essential functions of their position without creating an undue hardship for the organization. It is the organization's goal to:

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• Promote inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunity in the workplace.

• Ensure consistent, fair, and timely handling of accommodation requests.

• Clarify the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved.

• Support retention and success of qualified employees with disabilities.

 

​Any individual who would like to request an accommodation under the American's With Disabilities Act should contact their supervisor or Human Resources Representative. Accommodation requests can be made verbally or in writing. If requests have not received a response within (5) days, please reach out to the VP of Human Resources.

After receiving a request for an accommodation or learning indirectly that the team member may require such an accommodation, Southwest Care Center will engage in an interactive dialogue with the team member. 

Even if team member has not formally requested an accommodation, Southwest  Care Center may initiate an interactive dialogue under certain circumstances, such as when Southwest Care Center has knowledge that team member's performance at work has been negatively affected and a reasonable basis to believe that the issue is related to any of the protected classifications set forth under the Americans With Disabilities Act, in compliance with applicable law.

 

In the event Southwest Care Center initiates an interactive dialogue with an team member, it should not be construed as Southwest Care Center's  belief an individual requires an accommodation, but will serve as an invitation for the team member to share with Southwest Care Center any information the team member desires to share, or to request an accommodation.

The interactive dialogue may take place in person, by telephone, or by electronic means. As part of the interactive dialogue, Southwest Care Center will communicate openly and in good faith with the team member in a timely manner in order to determine whether and how Southwest Care Center may be able to provide a reasonable accommodation. To the extent necessary and appropriate based on the request, Southwest Care Center will attempt to explore the existence and feasibility of alternative accommodations as well as alternative positions for the team member. Southwest Care Center is not required to provide the specific accommodation sought by the team member, provided the alternatives are reasonable and either meet the specific needs of the team member or specifically address the team member's limitations.

As part of the interactive dialogue, Southwest Care Center reserves the right to request supporting documentation, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

Southwest Care Center will endeavor to keep confidential all communications regarding requests for reasonable accommodations and all circumstances surrounding the team member's underlying reason for needing an accommodation.

Southwest Care Center will not allow any form of retaliation against team members who have requested an accommodation, for whom Southwest Care Center has notice may require such an accommodation, or who otherwise engage in the interactive dialogue process.

Team members with questions regarding this policy should contact a Human Resources Representative.