State of California

  M E M O R A N D U M

  REFERENCE CODE:
  98-029

  DATE:
  July 1, 1998

  TO:
  Personnel Officers
  Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators
  Return-to-Work/Claims Coordinators

  FROM:
  Department of Personnel Administration
  Benefits Division

  SUBJECT:
  The Supervisor's Role in Determining the
  Essential Functions of a Job

  CONTACT:
  Laura Lynch-Rafferty, State Workers' Compensation 
  Coordinator
  (916) 327-1438, CALNET 457-1438
  FAX: (916) 322-3769
  OFFICE VISION: DPA(LLRAFFER)
  INTERNET: LLRAFFER@DPA.CA.GOV


  The Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) and the 
  Department of Rehabilitation (DR) are pleased to distribute 
  master copies of a new booklet titled "The Supervisor's 
  Role in Determining Essential Job Functions".  This booklet 
  has been developed to assist supervisors understand their 
  responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act 
  (ADA).
  
  The ADA Implementation Unit of DR and the Workers' 
  Compensation Program at DPA have cooperatively developed 
  this publication to enhance the ability of supervisors to 
  define "essential functions".  This booklet will benefit 
  all employers who are addressing employment issues relating 
  to "Qualified Individuals with Disabilities".
  
  This booklet has been designed for easy duplication and 
  departments are encouraged to duplicate it and distribute 
  it to supervisors and managers.  This document will also be 
  available for downloading at HTTP://www.dpa.ca.gov from 
  DPA's internet website.
  
  We are also providing the most current information and 
  resource listing for "Assistive Technology Resources for 
  Reasonable Accommodation" published by the California 
  Assistive Technology System (CATS).  This listing informs 
  supervisors of the many resources available when 
  considering assistive technology to enable a person with a 
  disability to perform essential job functions.  If you have 
  further questions or need assistance the CATS unit can be 
  reached at (916) 263-8687 or (916) 263-8685 TTY.
  This text is also available on disc for those departments 
  that wish to customize the information prior to 
  distribution.  If you wish to obtain an electronic copy of 
  either document, please contact Laura Lynch-Rafferty at the 
  telephone number or electronic mail addresses listed above.
  
  If you have any questions or are interested in the training 
  and consultative services of the ADA Implementation Unit of 
  DR please call (916) 263-8674 or (916) 263-8672 TTY.  The 
  Workers' Compensation Program at DPA is also available if 
  you have questions regarding the interaction of Workers' 
  Compensation and the ADA and to assist you with 
  implementation of the Injured State Workers' Assistance 
  Program.
  
  
  
  
  Kathie Vaughn, Chief
  Benefits Division
  
  
  Michael Paravagna, Manager
  ADA Implementation Unit
  
  Attachments will be distributed via mail.