Accommodations

Accommodations in the workplace are reasonable adjustments to how someone performs work. The accommodation levels the ‘playing field’ and enables the employee to do the work tasks differently but with the same outcome. Most accommodations are very straightforward and easy to implement and often cost nothing or very little. Accommodations are not needed by everyone.

There are many types of accommodations:

• Making existing facilities accessible to a person with a disability
• Flexible work schedule
• Modification of equipment and/or devices
• Installation of equipment and/or devices (voice input or speech recognition aids, TTY telephone service, computer screen magnifiers)
• Modification of applications, procedures and training materials
• Changing work locations
• Alternate methods of communication

There is a duty to accommodate under Human Rights Legislation, which states employers must make an effort to accommodate unless it involves undue hardship. Both employees and employers have responsibilities in the accommodation process.

Responsibilities of employee:

• Inform employer of needs and request accommodation
• Explain why accommodation is required as it relates to job duties
• Answer questions or provide information regarding relevant restrictions including information from health care professionals
• Participate in discussions during accommodation process
• Work with employer on an ongoing basis, offer and try proposed solutions
• Meet agreed-upon performance and job standards once accommodation
  is provided

Responsibilities of employer:

• Accept employee’s request for accommodation in good faith, unless legitimate reasons for acting otherwise
• Obtain expert opinion where necessary to help with process
• Ensure that alternative approaches and accommodation solutions are investigated
• Maintain confidentiality
• Grant accommodation requests in a timely manner and cover related costs

For further information on the duty to accommodate, go to the Human Rights Tribunal website: www.hrto.ca/NEW/home.asp

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - www.jan.wvu.edu - A free consulting service that provides information about disability-specific accommodations. The site is based in the US; be aware that legislation will differ. Also, see the sample of a letter requesting accommodation.