The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that protects people with disabilities in many areas of public life, including work. It gives qualified job applicants and employees the same opportunities as everyone else.

The ADA applies to most employers with 15 or more employees. It says employers cannot make decisions about hiring, promotions, pay, training, or firing based on a person's disability. Instead, they should focus on the person's skills, experience, and ability to do the job.

The law protects people with physical or mental disabilities that have a major impact on everyday activities. To qualify for protection, a person must meet the requirements for the job and be able to perform the main job duties with or without an accommodation. Main job duties are defined by the employer.

Accommodations

A reasonable accommodation is a change that helps an employee do their job. It could include a flexible work schedule, special equipment, assistive technology, working from home, time off for medical treatment, or a sign language interpreter. The right accommodation depends on the employee's needs and needs of the job.

If an employee asks for accommodation, the employer and employee should talk openly about what is needed. This is called the interactive process. Together, they can look at different options and find a solution that works for both the employee and the organization.

Employee and employer responsibilities

Employees should let their employer know when they need accommodation. When accommodation is requested the employer must talk to the employee about it and may ask for medical information. Employers must consider requests fairly, keep medical information private, and make sure employees are not treated unfairly for asking for accommodation. Employers do not have to remove essential job duties, lower performance standards, or create new jobs.

Inclusive workspaces

More than meeting a legal requirement, the ADA helps foster inclusive workspaces. An inclusive workplace helps everyone. When employers make their workplaces accessible, they can attract talented employees, improve teamwork and create a more welcoming environment.

The ADA reminds us that we should focus on people’s skills, experience and contributions—not their disability. When employers and employees work together, everyone has a better chance to succeed.

Questions

Do you have questions about the ADA in your workplace? Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB) and Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) can help employers and employees navigate the ADA. Our staff experts are available to help with questions and training at no charge, available for anything from a quick check-in to an in-depth training series. 

Contact Us:

• VRS: Marci Jasper, VRS, 763-279-4364 or Marci.Jasper@state.mn.us
• SSB: Alana Strickler, SSB: 651-373-6322 or alana.strickler@state.mn.us
• Evolve Employment at SSB: Callen McInness, Evolve Employment at SSB, 651-706-3792 or callen.mcinness@state.mn.us