An accommodation is any change to a job, work environment, or process that would allow someone with a disability to apply for a job, do the job, or access benefits anyone else would have. These changes make the job or process possible or more practical for someone with a disability.
Some common accommodations include
- Fragrance-free workplaces
- Service animals at work
- Assistive technologies like screen readers
- Assistive services like sign language interpreters
- Changes to tangential tasks such as lifting objects
For many companies, the accommodation process can be disjointed and inconsistent across lines of business. This makes it difficult for employees with disabilities to know how to get the accommodations needed to be successful.
The Job Accommodation Network’s expert consultants provide free one-on-one practical guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities.
For accommodation examples based on disability or work-related function, visit the Job Accommodation Network. You can also explore and use the Workplace Accommodation Toolkit from JAN.
This EARN resource can help your organization implement a centralized accommodation program.
You can learn more about reasonable accommodations from this EARN resource.