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According to the CDC, 61 million adults in the United States live with a disability. That's nearly 1 in 5 people. People with disabilities often face many challenges in their lives, one of the most common being finding gainful employment. This can be difficult because many employers are not familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and what accommodations an individual with a disability can request from their employer.
Michel | King can help explain some of the most common accommodations as well as what should be done when these requests are not fulfilled.
What is the ADA?
The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
What Accommodations Can I Request?
There are three types of accommodations that an individual with a disability can request from their employer:
1. Physical Accommodations - These accommodations involve changes to the physical work environment such as installing ramps or widening doorways.
2. Communication Accommodations - These accommodations involve changes to how information is communicated such as providing written materials in large print or allowing more time for an individual to respond verbally.
3. Equipment Accommodations - These accommodations involve changes to the equipment used such as providing a computer with a larger monitor or a modified keyboard.
What Should I Do If My Employer Does Not Fulfill My Request?
If your employer does not fulfill your accommodation request, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is responsible for enforcing the ADA. You can also contact Michel | King for more information about your rights under the ADA and how we can help you protect them.
Who Can I Contact for Assistance?
People with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else to pursue gainful employment free from discrimination. If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodations in order to perform your job, don't hesitate to request them from your employer. And if your employer does not fulfill your accommodation request, you have options.
Michel | King is here to help you understand and exercise your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
All employees deserve a safe and accessible work environment. When you need advocates to help with your disability accommodations, count on us. Contact the team at Michel | King today for a consultation.