Reasonable Accommodation
What does "Reasonable Accommodation" mean in law?
A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a position, as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The employer is obligated to engage in an interactive process with the employee to identify potential accommodations, which may include modified work schedules, reassignment to vacant positions, acquisition of assistive equipment, or restructuring of job duties. The employer need not provide the accommodation if it would impose an undue hardship, defined as significant difficulty or expense in light of the employer's size, financial resources, and operational structure. A parallel concept exists under Title VII for religious accommodations, though the standard differs following Groff v. DeJoy (2023).
Definition
A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a position, as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The employer is obligated to engage in an interactive process with the employee to identify potential accommodations, which may include modified work schedules, reassignment to vacant positions, acquisition of assistive equipment, or restructuring of job duties. The employer need not provide the accommodation if it would impose an undue hardship, defined as significant difficulty or expense in light of the employer's size, financial resources, and operational structure. A parallel concept exists under Title VII for religious accommodations, though the standard differs following Groff v. DeJoy (2023).
Example
When an accountant with a visual impairment requests screen-reading software and a larger monitor, the employer must provide these tools unless it can demonstrate that the cost constitutes an undue hardship.