BOP Program Statement 5200.06 § 10

Staff members may provide accommodations to inmates with obvious disabilities without a

formal inmate request (e.g., missing limb, documented history of hearing loss or blindness, etc.).

Inmates also may request an accommodation or a modification to accommodations already

provided by making an Inmate Request to Staff (BP-A0148). As described below, the institution

will evaluate the request and make a final determination on the accommodation to be provided.

Inmates with disabilities are not denied access to programs and services solely based on the

presence or suspected presence of a disability. When a disability creates barriers for an inmate’s

program participation, Bureau staff will modify the program to the extent possible to

accommodate the individual while maintaining program integrity, or provide an appropriate

accommodation to the inmate unless an undue burden exists.

Accommodation needs vary from person to person, and therefore must be individualized. If an

accommodation is needed, it will be provided by the department that verified the disability.

When a determination is made that an inmate’s needs go outside the scope of the department,

different professions must work collaboratively to meet the needs of the inmate. For particularly

complex cases, accommodations are determined by a team (known as a local disabilities

committee), comprised of a Psychologist, medical provider, an educator, Recreation Specialist,

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Unit Manager, Reentry Affairs Coordinator, and Captain. This team is led by the Associate

Warden, Programs, whose responsibility is to serve as the local coordinator on disabilities.

Legal staff are consulted as needed. A Social Worker is part of the team if the position is filled.

The accommodation provided does not have to be the accommodation requested by the inmate.

Multiple options can be considered. Appropriate accommodations should promote improvement

to ADLs and IADLs to the extent possible. Wardens should request assistance from the

Regional Disabilities Coordinator if needed in evaluating accommodation requests. The

Regional Disabilities Coordinator will consult with the Office of General Counsel and the

Women and Special Populations Branch as needed.

In deciding whether to grant an accommodation, institutions may consider whether the program

or activity would be fundamentally altered, or whether it would result in undue financial or

administrative burden. Before denying a request for accommodation on this basis, the

appropriate legal office should be consulted.

Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, accessibility of all relevant areas of the

compound, assistive devices or technologies, specialized approaches to learning, interpreters,

additional time to complete tasks, modified materials (e.g. large print), enhanced reentry

planning, and inmate companions. Information about accommodations authorized for a

particular inmate is documented by the department approving them, and a notification is sent to

the Unit Team.

Education staff with knowledge of learning disabilities will determine the appropriate use of

audio technology for program course materials with an understanding of dyslexia.

Some inmates with physical or mobility impairments may require the use of assistive

technologies (e.g., hearing aids, wheelchairs, prostheses). Under certain circumstances, inmates

may not need to use these devices all of the time. Therefore, staff are reminded that failure to

use these devices by the inmate is not a disciplinary infraction or an indicator the device is not

needed. The Clinical Director or appropriate medical provider should be consulted prior to

removing a device from an inmate’s possession, unless exigent circumstances exist. If the device

is to be removed, an alternative accommodation should be provided if appropriate.

Peer support, such as inmate companions, are considered at institutions housing inmates with

disabilities.