Coronavirus/COVID-19 Disability Resources

The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) is here and we are ready to partner with students and employees with disabilities who are affected by coronavirus/COVID-19. If you need disability-related accommodations, please begin registration with RCPD by following the steps on our Get Started page.

This page will be updated to provide campus and RCPD resources and policies.

Michigan State University COVID-19 Resources

Together We Will: MSU's Together We Will website provides the latest information on COVID-19 mandates. Success will take all of us working together.

RCPD Procedures

Welcome back! The RCPD office is staffed for fall semester. We are using a hybrid model whereby appointments may be scheduled online or in-person when staff hold in-office hours. Please note our office front door may be closed at times even though we are here. We are working to fully staff our front desk, at which point the door will be open. Until then, please contact your specialist via our Team RCPD staff Directory, ring us from our front doorbell, or call 517-884-7273 for assistance.

Accessible Face Masks

Face masks are required and necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, face masks that cover the mouth aren’t accessible for individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing as many people who are deaf and hard of hearing rely on lipreading and facial expressions to communicate. The best option to support individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing is to utilize clear, anti-fog face masks. Below are recommendations of places to purchase these types of masks.

Employee COVID-Related FAQs

Michigan State University is committed to supporting employees with disabilities. The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) and the Office of Employee Relations (OER) engages with employees with disabilities, including those at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, to provide reasonable accommodations to allow the employee to perform the essential functions of their job. Additional information regarding disability related accommodations can be found in the University’s Disability & Reasonable Accommodation Policy.

Michigan State University is a residential institution with its courses and programs primarily offered via in-person instruction. For the 2021-2022 academic year, most of the university’s academic programs will have essential in-person components necessitating faculty, staff, and administrators to return to work on-site. Employees needing accommodations or other flexible work arrangements due to COVID will find the following information useful.

I have a medical condition, as defined by the CDC, that puts me at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. What are my options?

I am registered with RCPD for the medical condition that puts me at higher risk for COVID-19

  • Request accommodations from Office of Employee Relations, Accommodation Specialist.

I am not registered with RCPD

I have a medical condition or disability (e.g., mental health condition) not defined by the CDC as high-risk for severe illness due to COVID-19. What are my options?

I am registered with RCPD for the medical condition that puts me at higher risk for COVID-19

  • Request accommodations from Office of Employee Relations, Accommodation Specialist.

I am not registered with RCPD

I am fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but believe a co-worker is not or has received an exemption for the vaccination requirement. What are my options?

I have a disability and am registered with RCPD.

  • Request accommodations from Office of Employee Relations, Accommodation Specialist.

I have a disability or medical condition but am not registered with RCPD.

I do not have a disability or medical condition.

I cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine because of an underlying medical condition. What are my options?

All COVID-19 vaccination exemptions should go through the university exemption process found on the Together We Will site. RCPD and OER will not be involved in the vaccine exemption process.

I am vaccinated but I teach classes and many of the students in my classes are not vaccinated, what are my options?

I have a disability and am registered with RCPD.

  • Request accommodations from Office of Employee Relations, Accommodation Specialist.

I have a disability or medical condition but am not registered with RCPD.

I do not have a disability or medical condition.

I want to avoid exposing a family member who is at higher risk of severe illness from covid due to an underlying medical condition. What are my options?

RCPD can only provide accommodations to individuals that have disabilities or medical conditions themselves. You should explore other options for assistance.

I am unable to wear a face mask due to a disability or medical condition. What are my options?

In compliance with federal and state guidance, MSU continuously updates health and safety policies, including mask-wearing expectations. An employee at Michigan State University with a disability that would be adversely affected by wearing a face covering (such as impacts to breathing) must identify and register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) in advance, at least 15 business days before the exemption is needed and follow the processes outlined below.

*Employees are expected to fully comply with the mask mandate until they are approved for an accommodation by OER.

I am registered with RCPD for the disability that is adversely affected by wearing a face mask/face covering.

I am not registered with RCPD.

The office of employee relations will validate the need for approved accommodations and work with the employee and campus officials to facilitate an effective outcome. The university reserves the right to request additional clarification or documentation.

Student COVID-Related FAQs

Michigan State University is committed to supporting students and program participants with disabilities with COVID-19 based risk factors. The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) works with students with disabilities who are at risk for complications from COVID-19 to ensure equal access to educational programs and services.

For the 2021-22 academic year, Michigan State University will return to offering a large majority of classes in-person. Most of the university’s academic programs have essential in-person components. If a student’s disability is impacted due to COVID-19 they should work with RCPD to make reasonable accommodation requests.

I have a medical condition, as defined by the CDC, that puts me at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. What are my options?

I am registered with RCPD for a medical condition that puts me at higher risk for COVID-19

  • Work with assigned RCPD Specialist(s) to request additional accommodations.
  • Additional disability/medical documentation may be required to support COVID related requests.

I am not registered with RCPD

I have a medical condition or disability (e.g., mental health condition) not defined by the CDC as high-risk for severe illness due to COVID-19. What are my options?

I am registered with RCPD for a medical condition that puts me at higher risk for COVID-19

  • Work with assigned RCPD Specialist(s) to request additional accommodations.
  • Additional disability/medical documentation may be required to support COVID related requests.

I am not registered with RCPD

I cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine because of an underlying medical condition. What are my options?

All COVID-19 vaccination exemptions should go through the university exemption process found on the Together We Will site. RCPD will not be involved in the vaccine exemption process.

I am pregnant or recently gave birth and am concerned that my condition puts me at an increased risk for severe illness due to COVID-19. What are my options?

Consult with Title IX Coordinator regarding adjustments

I am fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but believe another student that I live near or attend class with is not or has received an exemption for the vaccination requirement. What are my options?

I am registered with RCPD for a medical condition that puts me at higher risk for COVID-19.

  • Work with assigned RCPD Specialist(s) to request additional accommodations.
  • Additional disability/medical documentation may be required to support COVID related requests.

I am not registered with RCPD.

I do not have a disability or medical condition.

  • For concerns regarding housing, speak with your residence hall community director.
  • For concerns regarding classes, speak with your instructor, the chair of the department, or your academic advisor.

I want to avoid exposing a family member who is at higher risk of severe illness from covid due to an underlying medical condition. What are my options?

RCPD can only provide accommodations to individuals that have disabilities or medical conditions themselves. You should explore other options for assistance.

  • Work with your academic advisor to determine if there is an online section of your courses or make schedule changes to include online courses.
  • Work with your academic advisor to discuss options for taking a leave of absence.

I am unable to wear a face mask due to a disability or medical condition. What are my options?

In compliance with federal and state guidance, MSU continuously updates health and safety policies, including mask-wearing expectations. A student at Michigan State University with a disability that would be adversely affected by wearing a face covering (such as impacts to breathing) must identify and register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) in advance, at least 15 business days before the exemption is needed and follow the processes outlined below.

*Students are expected to fully comply with the mask mandate until they are approved for an accommodation by RCPD.

I am registered with RCPD for the disability that is adversely affected by wearing a face mask/face covering.

I am not registered with RCPD.

The RCPD will validate the need for approved accommodations and work with the employee and campus officials to facilitate an effective outcome. The university reserves the right to request additional clarification or documentation.

I have a disability/medical condition that puts me at greater risk for COVID-19. I am concerned about returning to campus and would like to take my classes remotely. What are my options?

Review the process outlined in the Student COVID-Related Accommodation Request Process.

COVID-Related Accommodation Policies

COVID-19 Face Mask Medical Exemption Accommodation

COVID-19 Face Mask Medical Exemption Accommodation

In compliance with federal and state guidance, MSU continuously updates health and safety policies, including mask-wearing expectations. A student or employee at Michigan State University with a disability that would be adversely affected by wearing a face covering (such as impacts to breathing) must identify and register with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) in advance, at least 15 business days before the exemption is needed and provide the following documentation.

  1. Treating professional completes the relevant disability documentation form, located on RCPD's Disability Documentation page
  2. Treating professional and student or employee complete the COVID19 Face Mask Medical Exemption Accommodation Request Form

The University reserves the right to request additional clarification or documentation.

The RCPD will validate the need for approved accommodations and work with the student/employee and campus officials to facilitate an effective outcome.

Student COVID-Related Accommodation Request Process

Student COVID-Related Accommodation Request Process

Overview

Michigan State University is committed to supporting students and program participants with disabilities with COVID-19 based risk factors. The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) works with students with disabilities who are at risk for complications from COVID-19 to ensure equal access to educational programs and services.   

For the 2021-22 academic year, Michigan State University will return to offering a large majority of classes in-person. Most of the university’s academic programs have essential in-person components. If a student’s disability is impacted due to COVID-19 they should work with RCPD to make reasonable accommodation requests. 

COVID-Related Remote Learning Accommodation Request Process

If you have COVID related concerns about attending in-person courses due to your disability, it is advised to follow the COVID related Remote Learning Accommodation Request Process.

Keep in mind that the COVID related concerns and impacts must go beyond the typical stress or nervousness that most people are expected to feel in readjusting to an in-person experience.

Schedule Adjustments:

If you require remote learning, the first step is to contact your academic advisor and discuss adjusting your schedule.

  • Is there an online section of your course you can switch to?
  • Is there an alternate online course you can take instead of your current, in-person course?
  • Can you move your current course to another term while still maintaining degree progress?

If you are unable to make the necessary changes to your schedule, the next step is to work with RCPD to request remote learning as an accommodation. Students approved for remote learning are approved for one semester and on a class-by-class basis. Approval is contingent upon determining feasibility for the student’s courses in collaboration with course instructors. This accommodation is not intended to be used for multiple semesters in a row, nor to convert an in-person program into an all-virtual experience. 

RCPD Registered Students:

If you are already registered with RCPD, for the disability that will be impacted by attending in-person courses and want to request remote learning as an accommodation you will need the following:

  1. Submit Student COVID Related Remote Learning Accommodation Request Form
  2. Submit confirmation from your academic advisor that there were no online course alternatives to the scheduled in-person courses.  
  3. RCPD will then work with instructors of your scheduled in-person courses to determine if the course learning objectives and requirements can be met remotely.

Students Not Registered with RCPD:

  1. Formally identify as a student with a disability via RCPD’s MyProfile web portal.
  2. Submit sufficient medical documentation to verify your disability and work with RCPD specialist to set up a needs assessment to fully discuss accommodation requests.
  3. Submit Student COVID Related Remote Learning Accommodation Request Form
  1. Submit confirmation from your academic advisor that there were no online course alternatives to the scheduled in-person courses. 
  2. RCPD will then work with instructors of your scheduled in-person courses to determine if the course learning objectives and requirements can be met remotely.

Employee COVID-Related Accommodation Request Process

Employee COVID-Related Accommodation Request Process

Overview

Michigan State University is committed to supporting employees and program participants with disabilities with COVID-19 based risk factors. The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) and Office for Employee Relations (OER) works with employees with disabilities who are at risk for complications from COVID-19 to ensure equal access to employment settings.

For the 2021-22 academic year, Michigan State University will return to offering a large majority of classes in-person. Most of the university’s academic programs have essential in-person components. If an employee's disability is impacted due to COVID-19 they should work with RCPD and OER to make reasonable accommodation requests.

COVID-Related Remote Working Accommodation Request Process

If you have COVID related concerns about working in person due to your disability, it is advised to follow the COVID related Remote Working Accommodation Request Process.

Keep in mind that the COVID related concerns and impacts must go beyond the typical stress or nervousness that most people are expected to feel in readjusting to an in-person experience.

Any time an employee requests a reasonable accommodation, the employer is entitled to understand the disability-related limitation that necessitates an accommodation. If there is no disability-related limitation that requires teleworking, then the employer does not have to provide telework as an accommodation. Or, if there is a disability-related limitation but the employer can effectively address the need with another form of reasonable accommodation at the workplace, then the employer can choose that alternative to telework.To the extent that an employer is permitting telework to employees because of COVID-19 and is choosing to excuse an employee from performing one or more essential functions, then a request—after the workplace reopens—to continue telework as a reasonable accommodation does not have to be granted if it requires continuing to excuse the employee from performing an essential function. The ADA never requires an employer to eliminate an essential function as an accommodation for an individual with a disability.

What You Should KNow About COVID-10 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws - Technical Assistance Questions and Answers - Updated on May 28, 2021 - Q&A D.15.

RCPD Registered Employee: 

If you are already registered with RCPD, for the disability that will be impacted by attending in-person work and want to request remote work as an accommodation you will need the following:

  1. Submit completed Employee COVID Related Remote Work Accommodation Request Form to OER.
  2. OER will then work with your supervisor to determine if essential functions of job requirements can be met remotely. 

RCPD Employees Not Registered with RCPD:

  1. Formally identify as an employee with a disability via RCPD’s MyProfile web portal. 
  2. Submit sufficient medical documentation to verify your disability with RCPD and work with OER specialist to set up a needs assessment to fully discuss accommodation requests. 
  3. Submit completed Employee COVID Related Remote Work Accommodation Request Form to OER
  4. OER will then work with your supervisor to determine if essential functions of job requirements can be met remotely.