Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy

Effective Date: August 5, 2022
Updated: July 2, 2024

The State Board of CPAs of Louisiana (SBCPA) is fully committed to complying with the
Americans with Disabilities Act and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (collectively, the ADA).

1. Policy

   • Title I (Employment) — Prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals
     with disabilities in all employment practices. Upon request, SBCPA will engage in an interactive
     process and may approve a reasonable accommodation unless doing so would cause undue hardship
     or pose a direct threat to health or safety.
   • Title II (Programs and Services) — Ensures qualified individuals with disabilities
     have equal access to SBCPA programs, services, activities, and facilities unless doing so would
     fundamentally alter the nature of the service or pose a direct threat.

2. Purpose

   This policy establishes SBCPA standards and procedures for ADA compliance.

3. Applicability

   This policy applies to all SBCPA employees, applicants for employment, and members of the public
   receiving services from SBCPA.

4. Definitions

   Disability: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more
   major life activities, a record of such impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.

   Impairment: Any physiological, mental, or psychological condition that substantially
   limits major life activities when active.

   Substantially Limits: An impairment that significantly restricts the ability to
   perform major life activities compared to most people in the general population.

   Major Life Activities: Include, but are not limited to seeing, hearing, walking,
   learning, communicating, working, and the operation of major bodily functions.

   Essential Functions: The fundamental duties of a job position.

   Qualified Individual: A person who meets job or program requirements and can
   perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

   Reasonable Accommodation: A modification that enables equal participation
   in employment or access to programs and services.

   Undue Hardship: An accommodation that is excessively costly or disruptive
   considering agency resources.

   Direct Threat: A significant risk to health or safety that cannot be mitigated
   through reasonable accommodation.

5. ADA Coordinator

   Name: Caren Singleton
   Agency: State Board of CPAs of Louisiana
   Address: 601 Poydras Street, Suite 1770, New Orleans, LA 70130
   Phone: (504) 566-1244
   Email:
   caren.singleton@la.gov

6. Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation

   Individuals may request an accommodation verbally or in writing. Requests must be submitted
   promptly and participation in the interactive process is required.

7. Effective Communication (Title II)

   Individuals with hearing, speech, or vision disabilities may request auxiliary aids such as
   sign-language interpreters or accessible documents. Requests should be made at least
   48 hours before a scheduled event.

8. Internal Complaint Procedure

   Complaints may be submitted according to SBCPA grievance procedures or directed to:

   Lisa Benefield, Executive Director
   State Board of CPAs of Louisiana
   601 Poydras Street, Suite 1770
   New Orleans, LA 70130
   Phone: (504) 566-1244

9. Confidentiality

   All accommodation-related documentation is maintained confidentially and disclosed only as
   permitted by law.

10. Additional Resources

    State ADA Coordinator: Rikki Nicole David
    Email:
    rikki.david@la.gov
    Phone: (225) 342-1243

Please note that strict time limitations apply when filing complaints with governmental agencies.