ACN 008/21 - JAN 2021 REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EXPENDITURES

R 212048Z JAN 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE

UNCLAS
ACN 008/21
SSIC 5350
SUBJ:  REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EXPENDITURES
A. U.S. Coast Guard Civil Rights Manual, COMDTINST M5350.4 (series)
B. ALCGFINANCE 014/20
1. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in four adults
in the United States is living with a disability. Many such persons
are members of the Coast Guard. The Americans with Disabilities Act
Amendments Act (ADAAA) and the Rehabilitation Act require employers
to provide “reasonable accommodations” (RAs) to applicants and
employees with a qualified disability to allow them to participate
in the workplace, or perform jobs for which they are qualified.
2. Annually, the Coast Guard (USCG) is required by law to report
the types and amount of funding spent on RAs. Typical RA purchases
may include, but are not limited to, modification of equipment or
devices, mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and special furniture, such
as stand-up desks or ergonomic chairs. For FY20, the USCG provided
199 members accommodations and reported $58,512.00 in expenditures.
3. IMPORTANT: So that the USCG may accurately capture RA
expenditures, REF (B) introduced the new Project ID,
REASONABLEACCOM, that must be associated with all unit Lines of
Accounting (LOAs). While RAs may consist of special equipment,
mobility devices, etc., this Project ID must not be used in a
blanket manner. It must be used only for officially approved RA
purchases. 
4. To avoid potential harm to individuals or liability to the USCG,
approved RA items must be handled expeditiously. As expressed in
REF (A), requesting individuals must be kept abreast of the status
of the purchase from approval to receipt and installation. Leaders
of Coast Guard units or staff supervisors, who are aware of approved
RAs, are responsible for ensuring that those procurements are
processed within 10 business days and maintaining all relevant
documentation as proof of processing. The goal is a workplace where
every individual is able to succeed to the maximum extent of his,
her, or their talent and ability. More information on Coast Guard
RA requests and the required procedures for such requests can be
found in Chapter 6 of REF (A) and on the Civil Rights Directorate
page at: https://www.uscg.mil/Family/Civil-Rights/faq/.
5. These changes will be incorporated into the next revision of
REF (A), which will be released within the next year.
6. POC: Mr. Eduardo Zayas, Eduardo.A.Zayas@uscg.mil, 202-372-4524.
7. Released by Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Civil Rights Director
(CG-00H).
8. Internet release is authorized.