requesting accomodations at work 
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job or the work environment that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodation also includes adjustments to assure that a qualified individual with a disability has rights and privileges in employment equal to those of employees without disabilities.
This may include but is not limited to:
- Making existing facilities readily accessible or modifying work sites
- Job restructuring, having minor job duties eliminated
- Part-time or modified work schedules
- Modifications of examinations, training materials or policies
- Provision of readers and interpreters or specialized equipment and assistive devices
At the Interview
If you need an accommodation to interview effectively, talk with the employer. See Disclosure for more information about disclosing a disability before or during an interview.
For example, if you need a Sign Language Interpreter, you might provide the interviewer/employer with a list of interpreter services and/or offer to make the arrangements for them.
A conversation or email might include the following: “I am looking forward to talking with you about this position and my qualifications. As I am Deaf, I will need the assistance of a Sign Language Interpreter to interview effectively. If you are not familiar with this service, I can help make these arrangements.”
On the Job
You may decide or need to request an accommodation the job. There are some things that you can do to make requesting an accommodation easier.
- Evaluate the essential functions of the job. Determine which parts of the job you do well now and which parts could be improved with accommodations.
- Learn about the various accommodations that would be appropriate for your job function and disability.
- Determine any technical support, resources, and costs associated with the various accommodations.
- Anticipate any questions that your supervisor might ask; be prepared with responses.
- If you are nervous about bringing this up with your supervisor or colleagues, practice articulating these needs with a friend or family member.
