A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment

What is a "reasonable accommodation"?

A reasonable accommodation is any change or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things usually are done that would allow you to apply for a job, perform job functions, or enjoy equal access to benefits available to other individuals in the workplace. There are many types of things that may help people with disabilities work successfully. Some of the most common types of accommodations include:

• physical changes, such as installing a ramp or modifying a workspace or restroom;
   
• sign language interpreters for people who are deaf or readers for people who are blind;
   
• providing a quieter workspace or making other changes to reduce noisy distractions for someone with a mental disability;
   
• training and other written materials in an accessible format, such as in Braille, on audio tape, or on computer disk;
   
• TTYs for use with telephones by people who are deaf, and hardware and software that make computers accessible to people with vision impairments or who have difficulty using their hands; and
   
• time off for someone who needs treatment for a disability.