Hoping to tap collective wisdom here.
I'm a NYC DOE school social worker, functional chapter member, almost 30 years in, currently on approved medical leave. I return to my school-based assessment team role September 10. I'm in active cancer treatment — GI cancer on immunotherapy (every 3 weeks, with about 2 more years of treatment ahead) — and I need to file an accommodation request through SOLAS in August (the filing window opens 30 days before return).
My goal is a substantial remote/hybrid accommodation. My role is a mix of psychosocial assessments, IEP/CSE meetings, documentation, consultation, and some direct counseling — much of which is remote-capable, though some genuinely requires in-person presence. Treatment side effects include severe fatigue, brain fog, GI symptoms with risk of immune-mediated colitis, joint pain, and elevated infection risk in school environments.
What I've already done / read up on:
- SOLAS process and ODA's basic guidance
- ADA, NYCHRL, and EEOC cancer accommodation guidance
- Identified three specialists (oncology, GI, rheumatology) for supporting letters
- Looking into UFT functional chapter representation
- Have JAN and Cancer and Careers consultations in motion
- Identified some employment attorneys for free initial consultations
Where I'd love help from this community:
- Has anyone navigated SOLAS as a school-based clinician for more than 1 day/week of remote work? What documentation made the difference? What didn't?
- My direct supervisor denies any accommodation he has discretion to deny. How have others handled obstructionist supervisors during the cooperative dialogue?
- Employee-side employment / disability attorney recommendations in NYC — not parent-side special ed attorneys. Specifically people who've represented DOE employees against the DOE on accommodation matters.
- Documentation language that consistently succeeds or fails in SOLAS reviews?
- Anything else I should know — resources, pitfalls, escalation paths, advocacy organizations, peer networks?
Happy to take this to DMs for anyone with relevant experience. Thank you in advance.