


In many cases, employees do not understand whether they qualify for an accommodation or how the process works. There are no “magic words” that an employee must use when initiating an accommodation request. Initiate the ADA reasonable accommodation request. Guidelines for the ADA interactive process 1. Each request requires an interactive process, which involves a complex and thorough analysis with several factors to consider, including the overall financial resources of the organization and the impact of the accommodation. It is essential for employers to have an adequate policy in place that outlines the process for requesting an ADA accommodation. An employer may ask for documentation from a health care provider to confirm the need for accommodation.

The individual making the request must have a mental or physical disability that substantially limits a major life activity. For this reason, it is advisable to develop job descriptions that clearly outline the key responsibilities and requirements for a position. Employers are not required to lower production standards or change essential functions of the job as a reasonable accommodation. Undue hardship is defined as a significant difficulty or expense, including how the accommodation will impact operations or disrupt the business.Ī qualifying employee or applicant must have the skills to perform the essential functions of the job. Title 1 of the ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees or applicants with a qualifying disability unless it causes undue hardship to the business. The ADA applies to all employers with 15 or more employees however, the threshold is lower for some states. According to the EEOC, an “undue hardship must be based on an individualized assessment of current circumstances that show that a specific reasonable accommodation would cause significant difficulty or expense.” Visit the EEOC site for guidelines on assessing undue hardships. The accommodation may include adjustments to the job, equipment, procedures, or work environment but must not present an undue hardship to the organization. As part of the ADA, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations that enable a qualified person with a disability to perform the essential functions of their job. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was established to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities.
