Putting Employment Issues Behind You

How do you define reasonable accommodations for a disability?

On Behalf of | Sep 3, 2024 | Disability

As an employee who is living with a disability, you have a right to some extra help so that you can work and support yourself. If you are otherwise qualified to do the job, then you can typically ask an employer for reasonable accommodations to allow you to fulfill the role. 

What these reasonable accommodations consist of will be unique to your case and so it is something you should discuss with your employer.

California code defines reasonable accommodations for a disability (note that people also have the right to ask for reasonable accommodations for their religious beliefs) as one of two things:

1.  Making adjustments to facilities

You have the right to ask your employer to make adjustments so that you can use the facilities that other employees use. For example, you might ask them to put in a lifting ramp so that you can get to the meeting room if you currently cannot get there because it involves too steep a slope for the wheelchair you use to get up.

2. Adjustments to the job

You have the right to ask your employer to make alterations to the role or alterations that allow you to fulfill it. For example, you could ask for the training materials to be printed in braille if you are non-sighted. Or you could ask to be given more breaks or a seat if you cannot stand for very long.

Does your employer always have to say yes?

Employers are not necessarily obligated to accede to all your requests. If they can show the accommodation is not reasonable for them as an employer, then the law may allow them to turn you down. Examples could be if a particular alteration would be too costly or cause too much disruption to others in the workplace.


Defining what is and is not reasonable can be challenging. Getting legal help to assess the situation could be wise if your employer does not seem willing to provide the accommodations you feel you need.