Disability Resource Group

Your Rights As An Employee With a Disability

1.) The Americans with Disabilities Ac requires employers to consider people with disabilities equally in every aspect of employment.  People with disabilities can not be discriminated against, just because of their disability.

2.) Employers can not ask any questions on an application that would give them information about your disability.  For example:  They can not ask “Would you need accommodations to do this job?” or “Explain why you missed work during the last year.”

3.) Employers can not ask you questions about your disability during a job interview.  You can tell them about your disability, if you choose.

4.)  Once you have been offered a job, you can then ask about special accommodations that you need to perform the job.  Examples of accommodations include: special equipment, such as a computer designed for a person with just one hand; office memos read aloud for a person with a learning disability; coming in early and leaving early for a person with late afternoon therapy sessions.

5.) You must ask your boss for accommodations you need.  Your employer can ask you to bring in a letter from your doctor verifying that you have a particular disability and need the accommodations.

6.)   You do not have to tell your employer about your disability, unless you need an accommodation.  You can not be penalized for telling about your disability.  It is always better to write a simple letter about your need for accommodations, then to just ask for accommodations.

7.)  You have the right to receive all of the benefits that employees without disabilities receive.  For example:  You must be able to use the break room; you are entitled to equal health benefits, etc.

8.)  Your employer cannot fail to promote you or give you pay raises, just because you have a disability.

 9.) If you can not perform the job for which you were hired, you and your employer should do some research to find accommodations that would help you perform the job.

10.)  If there are no accommodations that would help you perform the job, your employer should try to find another job in the organization that you can do (accommodations must also be available in the new job).  If a new job pays less, the employer can pay you less, even though you were hired at a higher salary.

11.)  If there is no job in the organization that you can do, and no accommodations that would enable you to do the job, the employer can terminate you.

12.)  There are many resources in the community that can help you and your employer work together to keep you in your job.  Don’t wait until there is a bad relationship between you and your employer to get outside help.  Generally, employers work with an employee with a disability if the employer believes you have a good attitude and are a hard worker.

For more information, call the Disability Resource Group  at 770-451-2340 or visit our website at www.gaada.info