Opinion ID: 749802
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Burden of Proof Under the Rehabilitation Act

Text: 16 The plaintiff in a suit brought under the Rehabilitation Act bears the initial burden of establishing a prima facie case under the Act. See Heilweil, 32 F.3d at 722. The burden then shifts to the employer. In a case where the employer relies on the plaintiff's handicap as the reason for the adverse employment decision, the employer must rebut the inference that the handicap was improperly taken into account by going forward with evidence that the handicap is relevant to qualifications for the position. Doe v. New York Univ., 666 F.2d 761, 776 (2d Cir.1981); see also Heilweil, 32 F.3d at 722 (quoting Doe ). The plaintiff bears the ultimate burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that he is qualified for the position despite his disability. See Teahan v. Metro-North Commuter R.R. Co., 951 F.2d 511, 515 (2d Cir.1991); see also Heilweil, 32 F.3d at 722.