ADA and Workplace Accommodations

CPS provides reasonable accommodations for both disability related requests and certain non-disability related requests.

Disability related requests include those related to workplace accommodations, returns from leaves of absence, service animals and sign language.
Non-disability related requests include nursing mothers and pregnancy related accommodations, VESSA, and religious accommodations.

Accommodations for Employees and Students

Employees can find information on ADA and workplace accommodations by visiting the Workplace Accommodations page on the HR4U website. Students with disabilities can get assistance with accommodations by contacting The Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD).

Accommodations for Members of the Public

Under the ADA, CPS provides reasonable accommodations to assure accessibility for adults with disabilities who participate in any District activity. Requests for accommodations may be submitted by members of the public, including parents and guardians, community members, Local School Council members, volunteers, and other adults.

To request the use of a personal service animal to assist parents, community members and other adults, follow the steps below:

Review the Non-Employee Instructions for ADA
Review the Service Animal Guidelines. Please note, emotional support animals are not permitted under the CPS guidelines.
Complete the Service Animal Request Form
Complete the Non-Employee ADA Request and Authorization Form
Complete the Non-Employee Healthcare Provider Certification
Email the completed forms to ADA@cps.edu

In addition to the accommodation requests listed above, members of the public may request additional ADA accommodations by following the steps below:

Review the Non-Employee Instructions for ADA
Complete the Non-Employee ADA Request and Authorization Form
Complete the Non-Employee Healthcare Provider Certification
Email the completed forms to ADA@cps.edu

Accommodations for Job Applicants

Qualified job applicants and employees with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations to assist in the job application process and/or the performance of their job functions. Once employed, an individual with a disability, with or without a reasonable accommodation, must satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job in order to be considered a qualified individual with a disability who is eligible for the protections of the ADA. Additionally, job applicants and employees are only entitled to reasonable accommodations that do not pose an undue hardship to the District.

The ADA protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination in employment based on their disability. The ADA defines a disability as an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.

Under the ADA, CPS provides sign language interpreters to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing job applicants. To request a sign language interpreter for the job application and interview process, follow the steps below:

Review the Sign Language Interpreter (SLI) Information Sheet
Complete the Sign Language Interpreter (SLI) Request Form. Please note, if you are requesting a virtual or remote interpreter, you must provide the Google or Zoom meeting ink on the Request Form.
Email the completed form to ADA@cps.edu at least 5 business days before the meeting, activity or event. Please ensure the form is in either a Word or PDF format so the vendor can access the form.

To request the use of a personal service animal for the job application and interview process, follow the steps below. Applicants who would like to request a Service Animal as a prospective employee may submit a request to the ADA Office during the interview and offer process.

Review the Non-Employee Instructions for ADA
Review the Service Animal Guidelines. Please note, emotional support animals are not permitted under the CPS guidelines.
Complete the Service Animal Request Form
Complete the Non-Employee ADA Request and Authorization Form
Complete the Non-Employee Healthcare Provider Certification
Email the completed forms to ADA@cps.edu at least 5 business days before the meeting, activity or event.

Under Title VII, an employer must make reasonable efforts to accommodate the sincerely held religious practices of employees that do not impact essential job functions unless doing so would cause the employer undue hardship.

To request for a religious accommodation, follow the steps below:

Complete the CPS Religious Accommodation Request Form
Submit the form to the CPS ADA office in one of the following ways:
- By Email: Send requests to ADA@cps.edu
- In Person or By Mail: Submit requests to ADA Office, 2651 W. Washington, Chicago, IL 60612.
- By Fax: Submit requests to 773-553-1091

ADA and Workplace Accommodations

Accommodations for Employees and Students

Accommodations for Members of the Public

Accommodations for Job Applicants

Additional Resources

ADA Office