By statute, only Subtitle C competitive State and National Direct AmeriCorps programs may use these funds.  However, all National Service programs must provide reasonable accommodations where required by law regardless of their eligibility for MCSC or outside funding.

Submission of the Application

Once it has been established that an applicant or member is eligible for a reasonable accommodation, the accommodation has been identified, and the program has determined that providing the accommodation would be an undue hardship, an application for funding should be submitted to the MCSC as quickly as possible.

The MCSC Disability Coordinator will receive all applications for funds confidentially and the application reviewed for completeness and accuracy.  If additional information is needed, the Disability Coordinator will contact the Program Director by telephone or letter to request the additional information.  Complete applications will be forwarded for review.

Application Review Process

A member of the MCSC’s Disability Committee, the Deputy Director, an AmeriCorps Program Officer, and the Disability Coordinator will review the application.  The review process and notification of approval or denial will be completed within four to six weeks from the date of receipt.  If circumstances necessitate a faster response, please contact the Disability Coordinator to discuss the situation.

Upon completion of the review, the Disability Coordinator will contact the Program Director to discuss the result.  A letter of explanation detailing the outcome of the review process will be mailed to the Program Director within 30 days.

If the application is approved, final arrangements will be made between the Program Director and the Disability Coordinator for providing the member with the requested accommodation. 

Appeal of Denial of Funds

If the application is denied, the submitting organization has 30 days from the postmark of the letter of explanation in which to appeal.   The request for reconsideration must be in writing from the Program Director or other official of the applicant organization and submitted to the MCSC Disability Coordinator.  The request for reconsideration should state the reasons why an applicant thinks the MCSC should reverse its decision, responding to the reason(s) given for the adverse decision noted by the MCSC.  The MCSC will make a final decision within 30 days of receipt of the request for reconsideration.

Reporting Use of Reasonable Accommodation Funds

Programs are required to provide two reports on their use of any reasonable accommodation funds granted.  The first report is due no later than two months after the accommodation has been provided and should detail the nature of the accommodation, the date of implementation, and the participant’s initial response to the appropriateness of accommodation.  The second report is due six months from the date the accommodation was provided.  Information to be provided includes the nature of the accommodation, any changes to the accommodation, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the accommodation provided.  To insure confidentiality, the name of the member provided with the accommodation should not be used.

All reports are to be submitted to the Disability Coordinator.  These reports will be used in the annual report to the Corporation for National and Community Service on the success of the Michigan’s National Service Inclusion Initiative and use of related funds.