Schedule 'A' - What is a Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable Accommodation is an important aspect of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable Accommodation is any adjustment to a job or the work environment that will enable an applicant, otherwise qualified for a job, the opportunity to take part in the application process and perform the basic functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations include adjustments to make certain that disabled individuals are afforded the same opportunities as persons without disabilities.

What Are Reasonable Accommodations?

Reasonable accommodations may include making existing facilities easily accessible by individuals with a disability, modifying work schedules, refashioning a job, modifying examinations, training or similar programs. Agencies are not required to lower standards as an accommodation to the disabled but must make ‘Reasonable Accomodations’ to provide a Schedule “A” appointee with access and ability to perform the work their job requires. The disabled person must be able to perform the essential duties of the job, but adjustments may have to be made in order to help the disabled individual perform those tasks.

Reasonable Accommodation Limitations

There are limitations on the obligations employers must make to accommodate disabled employees. The word reasonable also means that the accommodation should not place an undue burden on the employer. The cost should not be so overwhelming as to cause a hardship on the employer. Larger organizations with greater resources should be expected to make more accommodations than a small organization with fewer resources. Further, an employer is only required to accommodate a known disability of a qualified applicant or employee.

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