Job Accommodations Have Low Cost and High Impact

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers to offer accommodations for employees with disabilities who request them in order to enable them to do their jobs. Some employers push back against these requests, saying that they will be too expensive or probably won’t be effective. Both arguments are false, as shown in a recent report published by the Job Accommodation Network.

The report surveyed employers from 2019 to 2023. Results include:

• Almost half (49.4%) of accommodations incurred no cost.
• The one-time median cost for 43.3% of accommodations cost $300.
• 68.4% of employers felt the accommodations were extremely or very effective; 18.3% of employers felt the accommodations were somewhat effective.
• Effectiveness was defined as leading to direct or indirect benefits such as improved employee retention, productivity and morale, reduced workers’ compensation costs, and improved workplace diversity.

Consider sharing these results with your employer when asking for ADA accommodations.