(1) The purpose of this section is to further the policy of the state to encourage and assist persons having disabilities to achieve maximum personal and vocational independence through useful and productive gainful employment by eliminating unwarranted barriers to their qualifying competitively for state career service jobs.

(2) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Agency” includes each department and agency of the state.

(b) “Disability” means, with respect to an individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual, or a record of having such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.

(c) “Examination” includes employment tests and other structured, systematic instruments used to assess the essential knowledge, skills, abilities, minimum qualifications, and other job-related requirements possessed by an applicant as a basis for any employment decision by an agency.

(3) An applicant for employment within the State Career Service System who has a disability that impairs sensory, speaking, or manual skills may require an agency to administer any examination to him or her in a format and manner that does not require use of an impaired skill, unless the test is designed to measure that skill. An applicant may request a reasonable accommodation in a test format on the basis of a disability.

History.—s. 21, ch. 79-190; s. 23, ch. 86-220; s. 1, ch. 91-164; s. 21, ch. 91-431; s. 32, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 15, ch. 94-113; s. 1402, ch. 95-147.