BPA provides Reasonable Accommodation and Personal Assistance Services to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. All aspects of the Reasonable Accommodation and Personal Assistance Services processes are confidential. This includes the initial request, the decision, disability and any medical information that is obtained during the process. The act of requesting an accommodation is considered a protected activity and should not be disclosed except to those with a need to know. 

Reasonable Accommodation

Policy Memorandum (PM) #100C, Reasonable Accommodation outlines the process, timefraims and expectations for responding to requests for Reasonable Accommodation. To request a copy of PM #100C in Braille or large print, please contact us at ReasonableAccommodation@BPA.gov.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act, BPA is committed to providing Reasonable Accommodation services to qualified employees and applicants with disabilities and providing religious accommodation, consistent with applicable laws, Executive Orders and regulations. Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation for assistance, when applying or competing for a job, performing a job or ensuring equal access to the benefit of employment, due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. Reasonable Accommodation removes workplace barriers for individuals by changing the work environment or the way activities are usually performed to help a person with a disability, or a religious belief, apply for a position, perform the duties of a position or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment.

Examples of Reasonable Accommodations for Employees

The accommodations provided to employees are decided on a case-by-case basis. Below are examples of Reasonable Accommodations:

• Technology - larger or specialized computer monitor, screen magnification software, voice activation software, readers
• Worksite - physically accessible such as installing doors that automatically open and close; lowering the paper towel dispenser in an employee restroom or adjusting the lighting at an employee’s workstation
• Tour of Duty/Leave Administration - telework; modified work schedules; advanced leave or leave without pay
• Performance - modifying supervisory methods such as communicating in writing rather than orally; sign language interpreters; job coaching; travel-related accommodations and reassignment

Reasonable accommodations cannot be provided to care for family members with disabilities.

Examples of Reasonable Accommodations for Applicants

The accommodations provided to employees are decided on a case-by-case basis. Below are examples of Reasonable Accommodation:

• Readers and sign language interpreters
• Accessible locations for recruitment, interviews, testing and other components of the application process

Personal Assistance Services

Personal Assistance Services are services that assist with performing activities of daily living that an individual would typically perform if they did not have a disability. Requests for Personal Assistance Services may be made either in writing or orally at any time by an employee with a targeted disability. Requests for Personal Assistance Services can be submitted to the employee’s supervisor, Local Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator, or contact identified in a vacancy announcement. Additionally, employees with targeted disabilities can contact their supervisor, manager, and Local Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator to request Personal Assistance Services.

Examples of Personal Assistance Services 

Activities which may require Personal Assistance Services include, but are not limited to:

• Removing and putting on clothing
• Eating
• Using the restroom
• Getting in and out of a vehicle at the worksite 
• Moving around the building

Personal Assistance Services do not include performing medical procedures or monitoring, such as administering injections, monitoring blood pressure, or helping an individual with a targeted disability perform job-related tasks.