The Right For Reasonable Accommodation For People With Disabilities In Illinois

Just because you have a disability, does not mean you are not entitled to fair and equal opportunities in all aspects of your life. In Illinois, this includes the workplace. Employees who are disabled are protected by the Disability Rights Bureau, which enforces both federal and state laws when it comes to protecting their right to access services, housing and buildings.

The Right To Reasonable Accommodation

As an employee with a disability, you have the right to ‘reasonable accommodation’ pertaining to your job. According to the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act, it refers to any change in the hiring process, application process, how the job is done or the work environment, which can allow anyone who is qualified for the job to perform essential functions. A number of disabilities, both mental and physical, which can limit or prevent you from earning a living or make it extremely difficult, are covered by these laws.

The reasonable accommodation requirement is deliberately kept broad allowing the disabled to do their job to the best of their abilities. Different accommodations may be required, depending on the type of disability you have and the job you have.

For example, you may require a change in your work schedule, require non-essential duties to be reassigned, require special equipment, which can help you access your station or require interpreters. For example, if you are hard of hearing or completely deaf, you may require an interpreter for a job interview.

However, employers in Illinois cannot be asked to provide accommodation if by doing so they would impose an undue hardship on their business. This includes the people they already have on the payroll and the cost they will have to incur to provide said accommodation.

However, according to the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act, employers who have 15 or more employees are required to provide reasonable accommodation. To determine whether an employee requires it or not, they need to look at the position the employee holds, how their disability affects their job capabilities, and the work environment they will work in.

If you have been discriminated against in the workplace because of a disability, you have the right to ask for compensation. Get in touch with our attorneys at the Law Office of Michael Smith today. We don’t want you to settle for the bare minimum. We will ensure justice is served. Contact us today for a consultation in Schaumburg, Illinois.