Reasonable Accommodations to Assist Individuals with Disabilities [2.2.2.I.a.1]

Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the job, work environment, or the way things are usually done that give qualified individuals with disabilities equal employment opportunities. Accommodations might include changes to the job application process, changes that enable an employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, and changes that enable an employee with a disability to have equal benefits and privileges of employment (e.g., access to training). Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• Making existing facilities readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities;
• Job restructuring or modifying work schedules (e.g., flex time);
• Buying or modifying equipment or devices;
• Adjusting or modifying examinations, training materials, or policies; or
• Providing qualified readers or interpreters.

Reasonable accommodations do not include:

• Eliminating a primary job responsibility;
• Lowering production standards that apply to all employees; or
• Providing personal items, such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, or hearing aids.

A guide to reasonable accommodations can be found on the webpage for Disability and HR: Tips for Human Resource Professionals at Cornell University’s Institute on Employment and Disabilities.

The following subsection provide links to online resources that can assist employers in their efforts to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with specific types of disabilities.