PAS Fact Sheet

Personal assistance services are services that help someone perform basic activities like eating and using the restroom. They are not the same as services that help the individual perform job- related tasks, such as sign language interpreters for individuals who are deaf or readers for individuals who are blind or have learning disabilities. These services are already required under Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act as reasonable accommodations.

No. PAS allows individuals to perform activities of daily living that an individual would typically perform if he or she did not have a disability. PAS do not help individuals with disabilities perform their specific job functions, such as reviewing documents or answer questions received at a call center. NCUA processes PAS requests for employees with targeted disabilities under its Reasonable Accommodation Instruction.

Targeted disabilities are a subset of the larger disability category. The federal government has recognized that qualified individuals with certain disabilities, particularly manifest disabilities, face significant barriers to employment, above and beyond the barriers faced by people with the broader range of disabilities. These barriers are often due to myths, fears, and stereotypes about such disabilities.

NCUA is only required to provide PAS if -

• the individual is a NCUA employee;
• the individual has a targeted disability;
• the individual requires PAS because of his or her targeted disability;
• the individual will be able to perform the essential functions of the job, without posing a direct threat to safety, once PAS and any required reasonable accommodations are provided; and
• providing PAS will not impose undue hardship on the agency.

As with a reasonable accommodation, an individual may request PAS online, or by informing a supervisor, human resources professional, Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator or other suitable individual, in writing or orally, that he/she needs assistance with daily living because of a medical condition. Undue hardship determinations will follow the same process used in the reasonable accommodation process.

The Reasonable Accommodation Manager will coordinate with supervisors to explore options for providing PAS on a case-by-case basis. Funding may be provided through the NCUA central accommodation fund or other funding mechanisms.