Having a disability does not always mean that a person is unable to work. In fact, many people in Washington, D.C. and across the country go to work and complete their necessary tasks despite their disabilities. Of course, these individuals may need to approach their work-related tasks a little differently or may need to avoid certain work, but reasonable accommodations can help with that.
Various accommodations could be made for disabled workers, and as long as they do not pose any undue hardships to employers or the company, the accommodation should be allowed under law. For example, if a person has a condition that makes him or her unable to complete certain tasks, it may be possible for that person to exchange that task for a task he or she could perform while an able-bodied worker takes on the other tasks. This job restructure allows all necessary work to still be completed, and the company does not suffer.
Another type of accommodation that is relatively common is equipment adaptation. For instance, if a worker uses a wheelchair, a standard desk or cubical make not allow for easy use of the wheelchair. As a result, the worker may need a slightly larger cubical or an adjustable desk that allows for easy mobility in and around the workspace.
Unfortunately, some employers may immediately feel frustrated by having to handle requests for changes in the workplace. However, as long as the request is reasonable, the employer should take steps to make the accommodation. In the event that Washington, D.C. workers face backlash for requesting reasonable accommodations or have reasonable requests denied, they may want to look into their legal options for addressing a potential violation of the law.
