REMINDER - Presentation will be at our new location,
MEM (formerly Missouri Employers Mutual)
Breakfast and networking from 7:45am to 8:10am
Presentation starting at 8:15am
While the employment accommodation process may seem straightforward—receive a request, gather documentation, evaluate options, and implement accommodations—the reality is often far more complex. Human factors such as miscommunication, differing expectations, and performance-related concerns can create conflict at any stage of the interactive process.
This session focuses on practical, actionable strategies to help HR professionals and leaders mediate conflict and negotiate solutions when the accommodation process becomes challenging or breaks down. Participants will learn how to proactively build dispute resolution techniques into their accommodation practices, gain a deeper understanding of human behavior, and set clear, firm expectations to prevent and manage conflict effectively.
Drawing on the Amber's experience working with the EEOC and the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), as well as managing accommodation processes for over 1,200 employees across a wide range of roles within a university setting, this session provides real-world insights and tools. Attendees will leave with enhanced skills in dispute resolution, effective communication through misunderstandings, and confidence in navigating even the most contentious accommodation situations.
Amber Cheek
Amber Cheek is the Director of Accessibility and ADA Coordinator for the University of Missouri–Columbia and the University of Missouri System. In this role, she oversees all aspects of ADA compliance, including facilities accessibility, digital accessibility, program access, and the reasonable accommodation process for faculty and staff.
Amber joined Mizzou in 2014 after serving as a Presidential Management Fellow with the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, DC. Her background also includes work with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), giving her a deep understanding of the legal, practical, and human challenges involved in managing workplace accommodations.
With experience overseeing accommodation processes for more than 1,200 employees across a wide range of roles, Amber brings a practical, real-world perspective to navigating complex and sometimes contentious situations. Her work focuses on building effective, proactive strategies that balance compliance, communication, and dispute resolution—helping organizations manage accommodations successfully while minimizing conflict.
