The Order applies to executive branch agencies and their employees and applicants for employment. It does not apply to employers or employees in the private sector. Reasonable accommodation is a change in the work environment or in the application process that would enable a person with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities. Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees or applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship on the operation of the agency. While many people with disabilities can apply for and perform jobs without the need for reasonable accommodation, workplace barriers may keep others from entering the work force and still others from performing jobs which they could do with some form of accommodation.
Reasonable accommodation removes workplace barriers for people with disabilities.
It also allows agencies to expand their pool of qualified workers. If a person with a disability needs a reasonable accommodation in order to do, or to apply for, his or her job, it is essential that federal agencies handle the request in a prompt, fair, and efficient manner. Establishing procedures in advance will assure that individuals with disabilities understand how to approach the system and know what to expect. Procedures will also help agency managers understand what is expected of them. The procedures must be written in plain language.