U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you know**Official websites use .gov**
              
                A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
              
                A **lock** (
              A locked padlock
              ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive
                information only on official, secure websites.  Home
                    *U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission*

      search
      Menu
      Any of these words (optional)
Search

    close
            About EEOC
          
                        
  
    **About EEOC**
                        Overview
                                  The Commission and The General Counsel
                                  Commission Votes
                                  Meetings of the Commission
                                  EEOC History
                                  **News and Information**
                        Newsroom
                                  What You Should Know
                                  Legislative Affairs
                                  Publications
                                  Outreach and Education
                                  FOIA
              **Laws and Enforcement**
                        Laws, Regulations, Guidance and MOUs
                                  Discrimination by Type
                                  Mediation
                                  Litigation
                                  Systemic Enforcement
                                  Commissioner Charges and Directed Investigations
              **Programs and Performance**
                        Budget and Performance
                                  Initiatives
                                  Interagency Programs
                                  State and Local Programs
                                  Task Forces
                                  Tribal Programs
              **Data and Analytics**
                        Overview
                                  Data Governance
                                  EEO Data Collections
                                  Data and Statistics
                                  Data Tools and Products
                                  No FEAR Act Data
                                  **Inside EEOC**
                        Careers
                                  Office for Civil Rights, Diversity and Inclusion
                                  Doing Business with EEOC
                                  Privacy
                                  Office of Inspector General
          
                                            
  
      
                  
                        Employees & Job Applicants
          
                        
  
    **Employees & Applicants**
                        Overview
                                  Coverage
                                  Timeliness
                                  Prohibited Practices
              **Filing a Charge of Discrimination**
                        Filing a Charge
                                  How to File
                                  After You File a Charge
                                  Confidentiality
                                  Mediation
                                  Remedies
                                  Existing Charges
                                  Filing a Lawsuit
              **Discrimination by Type**
                        Age
                                  Disability
                                  Equal Pay
                                  Genetic Information
                                  Harassment
                                  National Origin Discrimination
                                  Pregnancy Discrimination
                                  Race/Color Discrimination
                                  Religious Discrimination
                                  Retaliation
                                  Sex
                                  Sexual Harassment
                                  Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
          
                                  
  
      
                  
                        Employers / Small Business
          
                        
  
    **Employers / Small Business**
                        Overview
                                  Coverage
                                  After a Charge is Filed
                                  Resolving a Charge
                                  Commissioner Charges and Directed Investigations
                                  Remedies
              **Small Business Resource Center**
                        Small Business Home
                                  Small Business Requirements
                                  Frequently Asked Questions
                                  Tips for Small Businesses
                                  Making an Employment Decision?
                                  EEOC Resources
                                  Small Business Assistance
                                  Small Business Fact Sheet
                                  Small Business Videos
                                  EEOC Glossary
                                  Contact Us
              **Discrimination by Type**
                        Age
                                  Disability
                                  Equal Pay
                                  Genetic Information
                                  Harassment
                                  National Origin
                                  Pregnancy
                                  Race/Color
                                  Religion
                                  Retaliation
                                  Sex
                                  Sexual Harassment
                                  Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
                                  Prohibited Practices
              Recordkeeping
                                  EEO Data Collections
                                  "Know Your Rights" Poster
                                  Training
                                  Other Employment Issues
          
                                            
  
      
                  
                        Federal Sector
          
                        
  
    **Federal Agencies**
                        Overview
                                  Federal EEO Coordination
                                  Federal Agency EEO Directors
                                  Laws, Regulations, Guidance & MOUs
                                  Management Directives & Federal Sector Guidance
                                  Federal Training & Outreach
                                  Resources
              **Federal Employees & Job Applicants**
                        Overview
                                  Federal Complaint Process
                                  Federal Sector Alternative Dispute Resolution
                                  Discrimination by Type
                                  Other Federal Protections
                                  Prohibited Practices
                                  Resources
          
                        
  
      
                  
                        Contact Us
          
                        
  
    Contact EEOC
                                  Find Your Nearest Office
                                  Office Operating Status
                                  Frequently Asked Questions

        
                  Languages
    English
              Español (Spanish)
                    Resources in Other Languages
                    عربي (Arabic)
              简体中文 (Chinese, Simplified)
              繁體中文 - Chinese (Traditional)
              Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole)
              한국어 (Korean)
              Русском (Russian)
              Tagalog (Tagalog)
              Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
              فارسی (Persian. Farsi)
              پښتو (Pashto)
          

  

  Breadcrumb
Home
  Employers
  Small Business Resource Center
  Disability Accommodations Tips

                      
                        

          
          
                        Disability Accommodations Tips
              


          
  Image
                                              tipsAn applicant or employee with a disability may need a reasonable accommodation (a change to the way things are normally done at work) to allow her to apply for a job, perform a job or enjoy the same benefits as other employees.  For example, an applicant who uses a wheelchair may ask that an interview be scheduled in an accessible location, or an employee with diabetes may request an exception to the "no food or drinks in the workspace" rule so she can eat or drink when necessary to adjust her insulin level.  **Understand who the law protects.** The law protects applicants and employees with disabilities. This includes people who have disabilities that do not affect them all the time, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People who have disabilities and people who had disabilities in the past may be entitled to reasonable accommodations, if needed.  **Recognize requests for disability accommodation(s).** An applicant or employee may indicate that he needs an adjustment or change in the application process or at work for a reason related to a medical condition. The request does not have to be in writing, and does not have to include the terms "reasonable accommodation," "Americans with Disabilities Act," or "disability."  **Consider the request.** Don't automatically refuse an accommodation request or have an inflexible policy that doesn't allow for exceptions.   **Review each request individually.** There is no one-size-fits-all accommodation. Accommodations may differ based on the employee's medical condition, medical treatment and job duties.  **Discuss the request** with the applicant or employee, if needed. **Ask for additional information** **if needed** to help you determine what type(s) of accommodations might be effective for both the individual and your business. For example, if an employee who is partially blind requests special computer software, you may want to discuss what types of software would meet her needs.  **Consider alternative accommodations.** If it is not possible to provide the requested accommodation, determine whether other accommodations would be effective for the applicant or employee and for your business.  **Consider additional requests.** An employee may need another accommodation or a different accommodation later due to changes in his job responsibilities, his medical condition or his medical treatment.  **Provide an** **effective accommodation****,** unless doing so requires significant difficulty or expense, changing fundamental job duties, lowering production or performance standards or tolerating misconduct.  **Don't automatically assume that you can't afford to provide an accommodation.** Many accommodations are not expensive, and some are free. Also, you may be eligible for tax credits, such as the Small Business Tax Credit, or other funding, such as vocational rehabilitation funding.  **Ask for help**, if needed. If you and the applicant or employee are having difficulty finding the right accommodation, the U.S. Department of Labor's Job Accommodation Network (JAN) may be able to help. JAN provides free, confidential accommodation assistance.**See also:**  What should I do if an applicant or employee asks for breaks, leave or other changes to a work situation because of his medical condition or his religious beliefs?  Reasonable Accommodation Policy Tips  Manager Responsibilities - Reasonable Accommodation Tips
      
              Translate this Page
    EnglishEspañol (Spanish)Return to top

  EEOC Logo, Image
            U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

          EEOC Headquarters
              131 M Street, NE
Washington, DC 205071-800-669-6820 (TTY)1-844-234-5122 (ASL Video Phone)

        Questions?

Call 1-800-669-4000
For Deaf/Hard of Hearing callers:1-800-669-6820 (TTY)1-844-234-5122 (ASL Video Phone)info@eeoc.govFind your nearest EEOC officeFrequently Asked Questions
          Connect With Us

  FOIA
      
    
                      Privacy Policy
      
    
                      Disclaimer
      
    
                      Accessibility
      
    
                      Office of Inspector General
      
    
                      Promoting Access to Voting
      
    
                      USA.gov