Statement of Policy 

The City of Punta Gorda is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (“ADAAA”).  It is the City’s policy not to discriminate against any qualified employee or applicant with regard to any terms or conditions of employment because of such individual’s disability or perceived disability so long as the employee can perform the essential functions of the job.  Consistent with this policy of non discrimination, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability, as defined by the ADA/ADAAA, who has made the City aware of his or her disability, provided that such accommodation does not constitute an undue hardship on the City.  Employees with a disability who believe they need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job should contact the Human Resources Division.  The City of Punta Gorda encourages individuals with disabilities to come forward and request reasonable accommodation.

Procedure for Requesting an Accommodation

Individuals who have a disability and believe they need an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of their job should notify their supervisor, or a member of the Human Resources Division, to make such a request.  It is not necessary that the request be in writing.

Interactive Process

Upon receipt of an accommodation request, the employee’s supervisor and the Human Resources Manager will meet with the employee to discuss and identify the precise limitations resulting from the disability and potential accommodations that the City of Punta Gorda might make to help overcome those limitations.  The City of Punta Gorda will determine the feasibility of the requested accommodation considering various factors.  Specific considerations include, but are not limited to the nature and cost of any such accommodation, taking into account the City of Punta Gorda’s overall financial resources and organization; and the accommodation’s impact on the operation of the City and levels of service, including the accommodation’s impact on the ability of other employees to perform their duties.  

Grievance Process

After reviewing the accommodation request and its potential impact to the organization, the City will inform the employee of its decision regarding whether or not the accommodation request can be made; and how the accommodation will be made if the response is affirmative.  If the City makes a determination that the disability cannot be reasonably accommodated, the employee will be advised of his or her right to appeal the decision by submitting a written statement to the City Manager explaining the reasons for the request.  If the request on appeal is denied, the employee will have exhausted all administrative remedies within the City’s organization.  The ADA/ADAAA does not require the City of Punta Gorda to make the best possible accommodation, to reallocate essential job functions, or to provide personal use items (i.e., eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs etc.).   

Inquiries and Complaints

An employee or job applicant who has questions regarding this policy or believes that he or she has been discriminated against based on a disability should notify the Human Resources Division.  All such inquiries or complaints will be treated as confidential to the extent permissible by law.