WIESBADEN, Germany - U.S. Army Europe and Installation Management Command-Europe leaders have been proactive in making Clay Kaserne facilities accessible to people with disabilities, according to Erni Moya, USAREUR Equal Employment Opportunity officer.
"The command has been very supportive in making sure people with disabilities have not only access to meaningful employment opportunities but also to the benefits and privileges of employment," Moya said. "The leadership throughout USAREUR and IMCOM are active supporters of the Program for Individuals with Disabilities."
This has included everything from installing hand rails and ramps throughout the installation to increasing accessible parking and pursuing/advancing the future construction of a new elevator which will serve both the Gen. Shalikashvili Mission Command Center and the new Consolidated Intelligence Center.
"One of the biggest concerns around Clay Kaserne is parking," she said, explaining that even with adequate and available parking in the garages, being so far away from one's workplace can be a major barrier for those with disabilities. A survey indentified handicap parking requirements that are now under review by USAREUR command to ensure accommodation needs are being met.
"An important aspect of the Program for Individuals with Disabilities is providing reasonable accommodations as needed. Reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability," said Moya, adding that this can cover most things that help a person in applying for work, having equal access to the workplace and being able to use employee facilities, parking lots and participating in office activities.
There are a host of other government-wide initiatives aimed at recruiting, retaining and promoting people with disabilities and wounded service members, Moya said. One of these is the centrally funded DoD Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program, known as CAP.?Through CAP, individuals can acquire assistive devices/services and electronic and information technology needed to more effectively perform their jobs. "CAP helps us in USAREUR fulfill our mission in providing real solutions for real needs and helps make us the model employer for people with disabilities."
David Fulton, chief of the Relocation Task Force, said not only has the addition of hand rails made this a safer work environment, additional handicap parking spaces and other reasonable accommodations, to include the installation of elevators at key locations around Clay Kaserne in the Wiesbaden Health Clinic, parking garage, fitness center, Mission Command Center and Andrews Federal Credit Union, are a significant benefit to the workforce.
For more information about any of the various programs available to support people with disabilities, wounded warriors and workers with temporary or permanent medical impairments, contact the garrison EEO Office at mil 548-2201 or the USAREUR EEO officer at mil 537-1031.
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