What do I do if I think an employer didn’t hire me because I have a disability?
Documentation of the incident is key when you think you have been discriminated due to a disability. Write down all conversations that pertain to the disclosure of your disability, requests for accommodations or other pertinent information. If you choose to file a charge of discrimination you many want to contact the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or the local Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in your area.
When should I tell an employer that I have a disability?
The only reason you would need to disclose a disability is to ask for job accommodations. You may also want to disclose to receive benefits or privileges specifically for employees with disabilities or to explain an unusual circumstance or phenomenon.
What is the best way to tell your supervisor that you have a disability?
Disclosure is a very personal matter and should not be taken lightly. You only need to disclose the impairment caused by the disability and if possible, accommodations that would assist you to do the essential functions of your job. You may want to remind your supervisor, ADA Coordinator, or HR representative, that your disability related information must be kept confidential.
I requested a modified keyboard for a training and was told it was too costly. So just what is a “reasonable accommodation”?
A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or in the way things are usually done that provides equal opportunities for those with disabilities. If your employer denies your request you can ask them what the undue hardship was in providing the accommodation.
My landlord will not allow me to have my companion animals in my apartment – what are my rights?
The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations to “No Pet” policies for residents with disabilities that require the use of service or assistance animals. Housing providers may require documentation from the resident indicating that the resident has a disability and that there is a disability related need for the service or assistance animal. The housing provider may require that documentation come from an appropriate profession, i.e. Someone with knowledge of the resident’s disability and need for the animal. Housing providers are prohibited from imposing pet fees or pet deposits. Unlike the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the FHA recognizes emotional support and companion animals as assistance animals.
I am not able to get into my local public library due to access issues – are they required to make modifications?
The ADA requires that all state and local government programs, services and activities be accessible and useable by persons with disabilities. This obligation did not require state and local governments to retro-fit all buildings when compliance with the ADA became effective. However, if this is the only public library in your community then steps should have already been undertaken to make the building and the programs/activities/services within the building accessible to persons with disabilities. This is a complex issue and you should contact ADA Minnesota to discuss your specific issues.
I would like to apply for a job online and it is not accessible to my screen reader, is this legal?
The employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities when needed to provide equal access to the application process, to perform the job or provide access to benefits associated with the job. If an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation in order to access the application that individual should make the employer aware of the need. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has not issued any technical guidance on the issue of the accessibility of online application systems. If someone thinks that they have been denied an equal opportunity to access an online application or have faced discrimination on the basis of disability a complaint may be filed with the EEOC by calling (800) 669-4000 or by visiting www.eeoc.gov.
