Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General--Reasonable Accommodation

Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General appropriations are not available to pay for local lodging as a reasonable accommodation under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for an employee who suffers from chronic back pain when sitting for long periods. Although, in some instances, agencies may use their appropriations to pay for reasonable accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act even though the agency's appropriation otherwise may not be used for that purpose, we do not find that to be the case here. There is a statutory limitation on local lodging. Also, this local travel is more akin to a commute, which is not covered by the Rehabilitation Act. The agency should consider other available accommodations.