Table Of Content

REPORT OF THE NIH TASK FORCE ON DISABILITY NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH MD BETHESDA, OCTOBF.R 2001 Leveling the Field: NIH Report of the Task Force on Disability NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH BETHESDA, MARYLAND OCTOBER 2001 TABLE OF CONTENTS The NIH Task Force on Disability iv Full Membership iv Subcommittees iv Recruitment/Fliring/Career Development/Work Life iv Information Technology v Reasonable Accommodation v Accessibility v Data Collection v Organization/Structure/Budget vi Special Thanks vi Executive Summary vii The NIFI Mission vii Key Task Force Recommendations vii Organization vii Financing viii Accessibility viii Policy Oversight, Evaluation, Affirmative Action, and Support ix Leveling the Field: Report ofthe NIFI Task Force on Disability 1 Introduction 1 Role of the NIFI Task Force on Disability 1 Reasonable Accommodation 2 Policy Background 2 Issues Related to Reasonable Accommodation 4 Definitions and Organization/Structure 4 Coverage 5 Provision of Resources 5 Information Dissemination and Followup 6 Recommendations Related to Reasonable Accommodation 6 Definitions and Organization/Structure 6 Coverage 8 Provision of Resources 8 Information Dissemination and Followup 8 Facilities Accessibility 9 Policy Background 9 Issues Related to Facilities Accessibility 10 Coordination and Funding 10 Enhancing Responsiveness and Increasing Input 10 Recommendations Related to Facilities Accessibility 11 Coordination and Funding 11 Enhancing Responsiveness and Increasing Input 12 Recruitment, Fliring, Career Development, and Work Life 13 Policy Background 13 Issues Related to Hiring, Training, Career Development, and Work Life 14 Recommendations Related to Hiring, Training, Career Development, and Work Life 14 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Information Technology 16 Policy Background 16 Issues Related to Information Technology 17 Recommendations Related to Information Technology 17 Recommendations Specific to Section 508 Standards 17 Recommendations Specific to Telecommunications and Multimedia Products 18 Data Collection 18 Policy Background 19 Issues Related to Data Collection 19 Recommendations Related to Data Collection 19 Appendices A Legislation, Directives, and Standards Affecting Reasonable Accommodation at NIH A-1 B Standard Form 256: Self-Identification of Handicap B-1 III THE NIH TASK FORCE ON DISABILITY In September 2000, the President issued Executive Order 13163 mandating the Federal Government to accelerate recruitment of qualified applicants with disabilities. A companion Executive Order was also issued that charged every Federal agency to implement and document a reasonable accommodation program. In response, Dr. Yvonne Maddox, Acting Deputy Director, National Institutes of Health, convened a Task Force on Disability to review the current status of disability efforts at NIH, identify challenges and barriers to progress, and develop recommendations for improvement. The Task Force consisted of six subcommittees that worked together to develop this report. Task Force Membership Chair: Doris Campos-Infantino (OD) Don Poppke (NLM) David Kerr (NIDCD) Members: Michael Lang (CSR) Duane Bonds (NHLBI) Dona R. Lenkin (CIT) Anthony Clifford (ORS) Pedro Morales (OD/OEO) Carlton Coleman (OEO) Beverly Mushinsky (NHGRI) Elizabeth Dean-Clower (NCI) Carol Sheredos (NICHD) Jerry Garmany (CC) Bob Waldman (OD) Ron Geller (OD) Michael Weinrich (NICHD) Marvene Horwitz (NfNDS) Subcommittees Recruitment/Hiring/Career DevelopmentAVork Life Subcommittee Chair: Michael Lang (CSR) Marvene Horwitz (NFNDS) Beverly Mushinsky (NHGRI) Members: Susan Reider (OD) Larry Chloupek (NCI) Susan Smith (NFNDS) Jerry Garmany (CC, EEO) Angelia Neal (NFNDS) Katina Jocktane (OD/MI) IV