Beyond Accommodation: Designing Workplaces Where Disability Is an Advantage
Join SE SHRM for a practical discussion about the Americans with Disabilities Act, the interactive process, and workplace accommodations. Presenters Vicki Stewart of Employment Disability Resources and Emily Maurice of Halbach | Szwarc Law Firm will explore how employers can move beyond basic compliance to create workplaces where employees with disabilities are supported, included, and positioned to contribute their strengths.
This session explores the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a focus on the interactive process, reasonable accommodations, and the practical challenges HR professionals face when managing accommodation requests. Participants will examine common areas of concern, including disability determinations, medical documentation, mental health accommodations, leave as an accommodation, remote work requests, and performance management. Through discussion and real-world examples, attendees will gain practical tools for navigating complex accommodation issues while maintaining compliance and consistency.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify the key requirements of the ADA and an employer's responsibilities regarding the interactive process and reasonable accommodations.
- Evaluate employee accommodation requests and determine appropriate documentation needed to support decision-making.
- Apply best practices for conducting and documenting the interactive process in a consistent and compliant manner.
- Assess common accommodation challenges, including attendance issues, mental health conditions, leave requests, and remote work arrangements.
- Analyze situations involving undue hardship and balance accommodation obligations with operational business needs.
- Implement strategies for managing difficult accommodation conversations and supporting effective communication among employees, managers, and HR professionals.
About Our Presenters
Vicki Stewart is the Executive Director of Employment Disability Resources, a Sioux Falls nonprofit that provides education, awareness, and resources to promote the successful employment and inclusion of people with disabilities. With more than 30 years of experience in the disability field, Vicki is a respected advocate, educator, and community leader dedicated to helping employers create workplaces where people of all abilities can contribute and thrive.
Vicki holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a minor in Psychology from Augustana University. She serves on several community and statewide boards and advisory groups, including Levitt at the Falls, the Sioux Empire United Way, the City of Sioux Falls Human Relations Commission, the ADA Sioux Falls Committee, and the Society of Human Resource Management South Dakota State Council. Through training, advocacy, and collaboration with employers, Vicki works to remove barriers, change perceptions, and advance disability-inclusive employment practices.
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Emily Maurice is a South Dakota native and an attorney with Halbach | Szwarc Law Firm in Sioux Falls. She earned her undergraduate degree from Augustana College in 2008, completed a post-baccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies in 2010, and graduated with honors from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 2017.
Before attending law school, Emily worked as a paralegal on employment law and litigation matters in Minnesota and South Dakota. During law school, she served as co-president of the Trial Team, president of her class, and Note and Comment Editor of the South Dakota Law Review, where her work was published in Volume 61.
In 2023, Emily helped found Halbach | Szwarc Law Firm, a full-service Sioux Falls law firm. She currently serves on the Board of Governors for the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, the State Bar of South Dakota’s Strategic Planning Committee, and as Second Circuit Bar Commissioner. She is also committed to mentoring future legal professionals and introducing young people to careers in law.
Emily lives in Sioux Falls with her husband, their three children, and two dogs. Her family enjoys traveling and exploring new destinations together.
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Approved Credits
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SESHRM is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. This program is valid for one (1) PDC toward SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification.
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This program has been pre-approved for one (1) hour of HR General credit toward aPHR®, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).
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