Opinion ID: 180580
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Jakubowski's Proposed Accommodations and the Essential Functions of His Position

Text: If a disabled employee requires an accommodation, the employee is saddled with the burden of proposing an accommodation and proving that it is reasonable. Monette, 90 F.3d at 1183. Furthermore, the plaintiff has the burden of proving that he will be capable of performing the essential functions of the job with the proposed accommodation. Id. at 1184. Reasonable accommodations may include making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules, reassignment to a vacant position, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, appropriate adjustment or modifications of examinations, training materials or policies, the provision of qualified readers or interpreters, and other similar accommodations for individuals with disabilities. 42 U.S.C. § 12111(9). The accommodations that Jakubowski proposed were for knowledge and understanding of the hospital physicians and staff. He argued that he would be capable of communicating with them effectively if they knew of his condition and its symptoms and triggers. However, he did not address how this accommodation would improve his communication and interaction with patients, which are parts of the essential function of a family practice resident. Instead, he explained that he would work individually to improve his clinical skills with patients without going into detail as to how he would accomplish this feat. A physician must be able to talk to patients, discern their ailments, and describe treatments to them. Jakubowski's performance evaluations often rated his abilities to communicate with patients and gather information from them as deficient. Because the accommodationsthat Jakubowski had the burden to proposedo not address a key obstacle preventing him from performing a necessary function of a medical resident, he has not met his burden under the Act of proving he is an otherwise qualified individual for the position. See Monette, 90 F.3d at 1184.