Everyone deserves the same work opportunities. Because of this, employers must provide reasonable accommodation to employees with a disability. This means that employers must make changes to the workplace and its policies to make things easier for them. If you have a disability, you could file a charge of discrimination against your employer if they have failed to help you in any way.
What does reasonable accommodation mean?
Employers with 15 or more employees must provide reasonable accommodation to employees with a disability. However, some employers don’t have to do this if they prove that providing the accommodation would be expensive or very difficult for them. Some examples of reasonable accommodation are:
- Installing a ramp
- Modifying a restroom
- Providing part-time or modified work schedules
- Allowing work in places other than the traditional work setting
- Providing rest periods
- Providing sign language interpreters or closed captions at meetings or events
- Modifying policies to allow a service animal in the workplace
- Making training materials and tests accessible
Your employer may need to make some of these changes if you have a qualifying disability. However, you must be able to perform the job’s essential functions without accommodation.
Fighting for your rights
You deserve reasonable accommodation if you have a qualifying disability. Ask your employer about it and consider filing a charge against them if they don’t make any changes to help you do your work. You can file a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). You deserve the same employment opportunities as everyone, and you can fight for them in court.
