What is "reasonable accommodation" under the ADA?

The concept of "reasonable accommodation" under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) refers to modifications or adjustments that are made in the work environment to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. This can include a variety of accommodations such as altering work schedules, providing assistive devices, or modifying training materials, among others. The goal of reasonable accommodation is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the workplace by removing barriers related to their disabilities.

It's essential to recognize that while there are various provisions and incentives related to hiring individuals with disabilities, reasonable accommodations specifically focus on enabling those individuals to succeed in their roles. This distinguishes it from financial incentives, workplace safety protocols, or processes related to termination, which do not relate directly to the ability of an employee with a disability to perform their job functions effectively.