Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 and the ADA

Although many people feel significant stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employees with certain preexisting mental health conditions, for example, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder, may have more difficulty handling the disruption to daily life that has accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic.

As with any accommodation request, ADA & Accessibility Services may: ask questions to determine whether the condition is a disability; discuss with the employee how the requested accommodation would assist him and enable him to keep working; explore alternative accommodations that may effectively meet his needs; and request medical documentation if needed.

Supervisors should note that if an employee states that they are experiencing difficulty with working due to a pre-existing mental health condition; this is a request for an accommodation and should be referred to adaaccess@vt.edu. 

Qualified Individuals with a disability that are currently in a position that does not allow for remote work and have a medical condition that limits their ability to work should contact our office to explore possible accommodations.

Please contact us at adaaccess@vt.edu. 

Yes. The CDC states that employees who become ill with symptoms of COVID-19 should leave the workplace. The ADA does not interfere with employers following this advice.

Virginia Tech may measure employees' body temperature. Because the CDC and state/local health authorities have acknowledged community spread of COVID-19 and issued attendant precautions. However, employers should be aware that some people with COVID-19 do not have a fever. Additionally, this does not mean that your temperature will be checked.

Qualified Individuals with a disability that are out of leave and have a medical condition that will not allow for them to return to the workplace or work remotely should contact our office. Please contact us at adaaccess@vt.edu.