Institutional Compliance

UTD Begins with You

UT Dallas is committed to equal opportunity and seeks to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and veterans. The information on this page is offered to foster a better understanding of why we are requesting and collecting employee information related to disability and veteran status.

The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) requires contractors to provide employees the opportunity to self-identify as an individual with a disability and/or a veteran. To meet these requirements, we invite applicants for employment and employees to disclose their disability and/or veteran status. Participation is voluntary and information regarding disability and veteran status is confidential.

Applicants are invited to self-identify during the application process. New hires and current employees are invited to self-identify through Galaxy. Because a person’s status may change, we ask all employees to update their information at least every five years. However, you are welcome to update your information at any time as conditions or circumstances change.

Your voluntary self-identification helps us monitor and advance our equal opportunity policies and practices, address barriers, and allocate and advocate for resources. Join us in building a welcoming, collaborative, and supportive environment for all employees. Please click on the boxes below to access additional information regarding voluntary self-identification.

Invitation to Self-Identify & FAQs

Invitation to Self-Identify
The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to equal opportunity and seeks to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and veterans. As part of UTD’s affirmative action efforts, applicants for employment, new employees, and existing employees are asked to voluntarily disclose their disability and/or veteran status. Employees may disclose or update their disability status by following these steps:
  • Log into Galaxy
  • Select “Gemini for Departments” homepage from the left side drop down menu
  • Select the “Self Service” tile
  • Then click the “Personal Details” tile
  • Select “Disability” from the left side menu to complete the form
    • You will be asked to select from the following options:
      • Yes, I have a Disability or a history/record of having a Disability
      • No, I do not have a Disability or a history/record of having a Disability
      • I don’t wish to answer
Employees may disclose or update their veteran status by following these steps:
  • Log into Galaxy
  • Select “Gemini for Departments” homepage from the left side drop down menu
  • Select the “Self Service” tile
  • Then click the “Personal Details” tile
  • Select “Veteran Status” from the left side menu to complete the form
  • You will be asked to select from the following options:
    • I belong to the following classifications of protected veterans (choose all that apply):
      • Disabled Veteran
      • Recently Separated Veteran
      • Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran
      • Armed Forces Service Medal Veteran
    • I am a protected veteran, but I choose not to self-identify the classifications to which I belong
    • I am NOT a protected veteran (I am serving, or served, in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, including the Reserves and National Guard, but do not fall into any veteran categories listed above.)
    • I am NOT a veteran (I did not serve in the U.S. military.)
  • To review definitions for each classification of protected veteran listed above, please access the linked document entitled “Veteran Status Definitions.”
This is an invitation to self-identify, not a requirement. Any information you provide will be kept confidential. Even if you have disclosed your status in the past, please consider updating your status to ensure UTD has the most current information. The information you provide helps us measure our progress in attracting, recruiting, employing, and advancing individuals with disabilities and veterans. Information provided by employees also helps to allocate resources to enrich the inclusiveness and success of everyone working at the University. UTD begins with YOU! Example Voluntary Self-Identifications forms are linked below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is UTD asking for this information? UT Dallas is subject to legal requirements regarding Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicable laws include Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 503) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistant Act, as amended (VEVRAA). Section 503 and VEVRAA prohibit employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. They also require covered federal contractors to recruit, employ, promote, and retain qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. As part of these obligations, the University must analyze the composition of its workforce and assess its affirmative action efforts annually. Therefore, as part of its affirmative action and equal opportunity efforts, UTD monitors its progress of employing individuals with disabilities and veterans. The information you provide helps UTD measure its progress in attracting, recruiting, employing, and advancing individuals with disabilities and veterans. Information provided by employees also helps to allocate resources to enhance the inclusiveness and success of individuals with disabilities and veterans working at UTD.

2. Do I have to self-identify? The self-identification forms are voluntary. It is your choice whether to disclose your disability and/or veteran status. Deciding not to complete these forms will not negatively impact you. Further, any individual who identifies themselves will not be subjected to any form of discrimination or retaliation based on their status or self-identification. Any information you provide is kept confidential.

3. Do I need to complete the designation if I already provided the information to UTD? Yes, please consider updating your status to ensure UTD has the most current information. Your personal status and/or the legal definitions of what constitutes a disability or protected veteran status can change, so it is important to periodically update your status. For example, the OFCCP updated VEVRAA regulations in 2014 to revise certain terms defining protected veterans. As a result of this and other such changes, you may now be able to self-identify with a status that was not available to you when you previously identified. You may update or change your status at any time in Galaxy.

4. Where do I designate my disability and/or veteran status? You can designate your disability and veteran status designations in Galaxy. To disclose or update your disability status, you may follow these steps:

  • Log into Galaxy
  • Select “Gemini for Departments” homepage from the left side drop down menu
  • Select the “Self Service” tile
  • Then click the “Personal Details” tile
  • Select “Disability” from the left side menu to complete the form

To self-identify as veteran, you may follow these steps:

  • Log into Galaxy
  • Select “Gemini for Departments” homepage from the left side drop down menu
  • Select the “Self Service” tile
  • Then click the “Personal Details” tile
  • Select “Veteran Status” from the left side menu to complete the form

5. Can my disability and/or veteran status information be used in making employment decisions? No, the information you provide is confidential and will not be used as the basis for any employment decision affecting you. Disability and veteran status information is used for affirmative action and equal opportunity-related reporting and analysis; therefore, a limited number of UTD employees have access to this information.

6. How do I know if I have a disability? You are considered to have a disability if you have a physical or mental impairment or medical condition that substantially limits a major life activity, or if you have a history or record of such an impairment or medical condition. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Autism
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or hard of hearing
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Diabetes
  • Epilepsy
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn’s Disease, or irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual disability
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Nervous system condition for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, or Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Psychiatric condition, for example, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, or major depression

7. How do I know if I am a protected veteran? You are a “protected veteran” under the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 (VEVRRA) if you belong to one or more of the following categories of veterans described below.

  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran’s discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who:
    • served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service during a war, including one or more of the following periods of war: Korean Conflict (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955), Vietnam Era (February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 for veterans serving in the Republic of Vietnam or August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975 for all other cases), or Persian Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – current); or
    • served on active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed Forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

For more information about how veteran status is defined for affirmative action purposes, please review the Am I A Protected Veteran? infographic on the Department of Labor website.

8. What if I need to request a disability-related accommodation? 

UT Dallas is committed to a diverse workforce and a campus culture of belonging. In doing so, UTD seeks to provide accommodations for any employee with disability-related limitations or restrictions that may impact their ability to perform their job. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an accommodation is a reasonable modification or adjustment to the work environment that enables a qualified person with a disability to perform the essential functions of a position, or to enjoy the same benefits and privileges of employment as enjoyed by employees without disabilities. Employees may request an accommodation at any time during the course of their employment. This involves engaging in an interactive process.

Filling out the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form is not a requirement to request an accommodation. Filling out the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form, however, does not initiate a request for an accommodation or begin the interactive process.

If you would like to request an accommodation, please contact the AccessAbility Resource Center. For general information about accommodations, please review the ADA Definitions and Common Terms on the Office of Institutional Compliance (IC) website. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a helpful resource as well.

9. What if I believe I have been discriminated against because of a disability or veteran status? UT Dallas provides equality of opportunity in employment for all employees. Discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, genetic information, or veteran status, or any other basis of discrimination precluded by federal and state statutes is prohibited. This means that no person will be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity sponsored or conducted by the University. The Office of Institutional Compliance (IC) coordinates the University’s efforts to comply with VEVRAA, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. In addition, IC handles complaints of discrimination or harassment based on veteran status or disability brought to us by employees. If you believe you have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in violation of the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy (UTDBP3090), you may file a complaint with IC. For additional questions or information, you may email the ADA Coordinator.

10. Are there additional resources available? Explore the following links for additional information.