What is a Disability?

Under the ADA, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities are those functions that are important to most people’s daily lives. Examples of major life activities are breathing, walking, talking, hearing, seeing, sleeping, caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, and working. Major life activities also include major bodily functions such as immune system functions, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.

What is a Reasonable Accommodation?

A reasonable accommodation is any modification or change to a job or the work environment that will enable an employee with a disability to perform essential job functions.

If you have any questions regarding reasonable accommodations, please contact our Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Disability Access Team via email at ada@syr.edu.


Faculty and staff who are looking to request a leave of absence should contact Syracuse University Human Resources, via email at hrservice@syr.edu or via phone at 315-443-4042.


Students

If you are a student and think that you may require accommodations for a disability, please contact the Center for Disability Resources.