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Ideas for Writing an Accommodation Request Letter
By Linda Carter Batiste, J.D.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with disabilities, unless such accommodations would pose an undue hardship (e.g. too costly, too extensive, too substantial, too disruptive). In general, the applicant or employee with a disability is responsible for letting the employer know that an accommodation is needed to participate in the application process, to perform essential job functions, or to receive equal benefits and privileges of employment. Employers are not required to provide accommodations if they are not aware of the need.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency charged with enforcing the ADA, an accommodation request does not have to be in writing. However, the EEOC suggests that individuals with disabilities might find it useful to document accommodation requests in the event there is a dispute about whether or when they requested accommodation. One way to document an accommodation request is to make a written request.
The ADA does not include specific guidelines or forms for requesting reasonable accommodation. However, some employers have developed in-house forms. If so, employees should use the employer's forms for requesting accommodation. Otherwise, individuals with disabilities can use any method that is effective; the ADA does not require specific language or format. The following information provides an example of an accommodation request letter. Please note that the information is to be used as a guide only and is not legal advice. If legal advice is needed, contact a legal service.
For additional information regarding the ADA and reasonable accommodation, contact the Job Accommodation Network.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency charged with enforcing the ADA, an accommodation request does not have to be in writing. However, the EEOC suggests that individuals with disabilities might find it useful to document accommodation requests in the event there is a dispute about whether or when they requested accommodation. One way to document an accommodation request is to make a written request.
The ADA does not include specific guidelines or forms for requesting reasonable accommodation. However, some employers have developed in-house forms. If so, employees should use the employer's forms for requesting accommodation. Otherwise, individuals with disabilities can use any method that is effective; the ADA does not require specific language or format. The following information provides an example of an accommodation request letter. Please note that the information is to be used as a guide only and is not legal advice. If legal advice is needed, contact a legal service.
For additional information regarding the ADA and reasonable accommodation, contact the Job Accommodation Network.
Sample Accommodation Request Letter
The following is an example of what can be included in an accommodation request letter and is not intended to be legal advice.
Date of Letter
Your name
Your address
Employer's name
Employer's address
Dear (e.g., Supervisor, Manager, Human Resources, Personnel):
Content to consider in body of letter:
Identify yourself as a person with a disability
Sincerely,
Your signature
Your printed name
Cc: to appropriate individuals
Updated 09/04/08