Enforcement Guidance: Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

41. May an employer ask whether a reasonable accommodation is needed when an employee with a disability has not asked for one?

An employer may ask an employee with a known disability whether s/he needs a reasonable accommodation when it reasonably believes that the employee may need an accommodation. For example, an employer could ask a deaf employee who is being sent on a business trip if s/he needs reasonable accommodation. Or, if an employer is scheduling a luncheon at a restaurant and is uncertain about what questions it should ask to ensure that the restaurant is accessible for an employee who uses a wheelchair, the employer may first ask the employee. An employer also may ask an employee with a disability who is having performance or conduct problems if s/he needs reasonable accommodation.⁽¹¹⁰⁾