Notice of Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities

and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

NEMA is committed to providing individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from NEMA’s programs, activities, and services.

Individuals may request reasonable accommodations from NEMA that they believe will enable them to have such equal opportunity to participate in our programs, activities, and services.

To request reasonable accommodations, contact NEMA’s Executive Director by completing the form (below) or by emailing nema_nondiscrimination@csg.org.

Read our frequently asked questions section (below) to learn who can submit a reasonable accomidation request, how the accomidation request is acted upon, what you can expect, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The following FAQ provides information on requesting reasonable accommodations in NEMA’s programs and activities.

A reasonable accommodation is a change or modification for a qualified individual with a disability to allow full enjoyment of NEMA’s programs or activities, unless modifications of policies, practices, and procedures would fundamentally alter the nature of the program, service, or activity, or result in undue financial and administrative burdens to NEMA.

If you need a reasonable accommodation, please complete the form (above) or email the NEMA Executive Director at nema_nondiscrimination@csg.org to request a reasonable accommodiation.

No, you do not need to put your request in writing, however, making a written request can be helpful documentation for ensuring that NEMA provides the desired accommodation.

In addition, you do not need to use the specific words “reasonable accommodations” when making your request.

You may request a reasonable accommodation from NEMA at any time.

However, making the request in advance of a meeting, NEMA Forum, conference call, or other activity will help ensure that NEMA is able to fulfill the request for an accommodation.

For certain requests, such as requests for sign language interpretation, NEMA requests at least two week’s advance notice.

Yes, anyone can request a reasonable accommodation on behalf of an individual with a disability who seeks to interact with NEMA staff or participate in NEMA’s programs or activities.

Should a request for reasonable accommodation be received by NEMA, NEMA will do the following:

  1. NEMA shall receive a request for reasonable accommodation.
  2. NEMA’s Executive Director shall review the request for reasonable accommodation within 5 business days of receiving the request.
  3. NEMA’s Executive Director may contact the requestor to consult, in an interactive process, to determine what, if any, accomodation NEMA may provide. 
  4. NEMA shall review the nature and importance of the request based upon the services, programs, or activities that NEMA provides.
  5. NEMA shall review the resources NEMA has, or the costs involved.
  6. NEMA shall determine what accommodation may be provided based upon available resources at the time of the request. 
  7. If NEMA is unable to meet the reasonable accommodation request, an interim accommodation may be provided. 
  8. NEMA shall keep secure any personally identifiable information (PII) in the request for reasonable accommodations to ensure that only those recipients’ employees with a need to know have the information. 
  9. NEMA will notify the requestor of the accommoditation that may or may not be provided for the event identified by the requestor. 
  10. NEMA shall maintain records of the reasonable accommodiations provided and will only use PII to contact the requestor. 

No, NEMA may not request medical documentation after receiving your request for a reasonable accommodation.

NEMA’s questions will be limited to understanding the barrier to your ability to participate in the program or activity in which you are interested and the nature of an accommodation that will remove this barrier.

No, you are not responsible for the cost of an auxiliary aid or service NEMA provides to you.

There are many types of reasonable accommodations.

There are many types of reasonable accommodations.

Some examples of how NEMA may provides reasonable accommodations include:

  • Arranging for qualified sign language interpreters
  • Providing on-site captioning
  • Producing alternate formats of print materials large print, or in an electronic format
  • Providing remote conference captioning services
  • Furnishing a temporary ramp to access an area with one or more stairs to ensure accessibility for individuals who have physical disabilities and may be using a wheelchair or walker

NEMA may contact you to obtain more information about your request and to better understand your needs.

In addition, NEMA may review your request to determine:

  • Whether the requested accommodation will be effective in allowing you to participate in the activity or program in which you are seeking participation;
  • Whether the requested accommodation is reasonable, or an equally effective alternative to the requested accommodation is available; and
  • Whether providing you with the requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of NEMA’s program or impose undue financial or administrative burdens on NEMA.

In addition, in some cases, NEMA may consult with you in an interactive process to determine on a case-by-case basis what accommodations can be made.

If NEMA determines that your requested accommodation would fundamentally alter the nature of the program or impose an undue financial or administrative burden, NEMA may deny your request.

However, in the unlikely event that this occurs, NEMA will work with you to identify an alternative accommodation that allows you to effectively participate in NEMA’s program, activity, or service.