Inclusion and diversity are essential components of workplaces in California. A crucial aspect of fostering an inclusive work culture is reasonable accommodations for those with a disability. Such accommodations are meant to provide disabled employees with equal opportunities, thus allowing them to thrive in their work environment. Business owners are obligated by law to provide accommodations unless it causes them undue hardship.
There are many examples of reasonable accommodations that can be made for disabled workers, like giving them work shifts that allow them to keep regular doctor’s appointments. They can also make accommodations for service animals, like guide dogs and seizure alert dogs.
In the event your employer fails to allow reasonable accommodations for you in the workplace, you should seek help from a lawyer with experience in employment discrimination cases. Based on the circumstances, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit for monetary compensation.
4 Examples of Reasonable Workplace Accommodations
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers are required by law to make accommodations that are reasonable when there is a request by a disabled employee. Please note that accommodations are not a form of special treatment. Instead, they are modifications that foster an equal work environment, where all employees have an opportunity for success.
The vast majority of work accommodations are cheap and relatively simply to implement. In this article, we will cover 4 reasonable accommodations that you have a right to expect from your employer.
Visual Communication Accommodations
What counts as a reasonable accommodation must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Common examples of visual communication accommodations include:
- Providing video and picture instructions
- Providing checklists and visual reminders
- Allowing the employee to use read-aloud tools by sending instructions via email or text
- Utilizing dry-erase boards or bulletin boards
- Providing slide decks
- Using live transcription or closed captioning
- Breaking down complex tasks into smaller parts
Language / Communication Accommodations
Providing accommodations for language and communication needs can help to streamline the work day and open up new opportunities for those who struggle with standard methods of communication. Examples of reasonable accommodations are:
- Providing sign language or qualified readers
- Braille materials
- Providing agendas for meetings ahead of time
- Implementing background noise policies
We recommend that you submit a written notice to request accommodations for language or communication issues. Your notice should include your specific disability, how it interferes with essential job duties, and how the requested accommodation is needed to perform the tasks that are associated with your job.
Environmental Accommodations
There are many changes that can be made to the workplace to ensure a safer and more balanced environment for disabled employees. Environmental accommodations may include:
- Noise canceling headphones
- Fluorescent or bright light glasses
- Workstations that allow for both siting and standing
- Providing wheelchair accessibility in cubicles, bathrooms, meeting areas, and other spaces
- Modifying or purchasing equipment to accommodate specific medical conditions
- Allowing service dogs and other assistive animals
- Option to work from home / remotely
Your employer has the right to ask for documentation as proof of your disability, but you also have a right to privacy in the workplace. So, you have the right to request that only supervisors / managers and first aid personnel are notified of your disability.
Structural Accommodations
These are accommodations that provide greater flexibility for employees with disabilities. Examples of structural accommodations in the workplace include:
- Flexible work schedules to accommodate doctor’s appointments and break times
- Eliminating non-essential tasks / functions from job descriptions
- Reassigning the worker to a vacant position that’s better suited to their needs
We know that you may have concerns about disclosing a disability and asserting your right to reasonable accommodations. But there are laws in place, both at the state and federal level, that protects employees requesting accommodations for a disability. Even if your request cannot be accommodated, your employer cannot take punitive measures against you (retaliation) for seeking a disability accommodation.
Comuníquese con el Grupo de Abogados de Empleo en Derecho Laboral de California
Fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace is a legal requirement, as well as an ethical consideration that benefits both the employer and employees. Workplaces that fail to address the needs of disabled employees may be sued for discrimination under federal and California law.
As a victim of discrimination and retaliation by your employer, we are prepared to represent you on contingency. That’s why we charge you $0 upfront, with a Zero Fee Guarantee to ensure that you pay us nothing if we don’t obtain compensation on your behalf.
Our lawyers are standing by to answer your questions and help you formulate the right legal strategy. Please reach out to us for a free consultation on your rights and legal options.
