Accommodations
Accommodations are reasonable adjustments made in the interviewing process and in the workplace that allow a person with a disability to apply for jobs and fully perform the duties of a position.
Accommodations level the playing field and help people to reach the same outcomes as their peers, just using a modified process.
Identifying Accommodation Needs
Working with the ACT Advisor or the ACT to Employ Student Advisor, you can determine potential interview/workplace accommodations to help you be successful. Most accommodations are simple to enforce and relatively inexpensive.
When it comes to obtaining accommodations, it is important to understand that it is your responsibility to communicate your need for an accommodation. You may encounter employers who have not experienced hiring individuals with disabilities or have not implemented accommodations before but know that it is your legal right to receive necessary accommodations (within reason – see below).
Interview Accommodations
Examples include:
- Providing applicants with formal interview questions ahead of time
- Providing options for type of interview (e.g. panel, one-on-one, casual/meet-and-greet style)
- Requesting applicants complete a task to demonstrate ability
Workplace Accommodations
Examples include:
- Flexible work schedules
- Remote work opportunities
- Access to software (e.g. text to speech, screen magnifiers, etc.)
- Alternative communication methods
- Environmental changes (e.g. lighting changes, quiet space, noise-cancelling headphones, etc.)
Applicant Considerations
The Ontario Human Rights Commission and the Canada Human Rights Act both legislate that employers cannot discriminate against persons with disabilities and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations. Be aware of your legal rights by reading over the legislation and the related guides. If decoding legal jargon isn’t your thing, here are the basics of what you need to know:
- Legally, you do not have to disclose unless your disability will impact your ability to do the job or puts the safety of your co-workers at risk.
- You have the right to confidentiality and respectful treatment of information about your disability. This means if you inform your supervisor about your disability, they cannot tell anyone else without your consent.
- Your employer cannot treat you less favourably than an employee without a disability.
- Your employer must grant reasonable accommodation requests in a timely manner and cover all related costs.
- Employers must provide accommodations up to the point of undue hardship, meaning it would be too expensive for the financial survival of the organisation or it would violate health and safety requirements.
Next Steps
If you would like to discuss accommodations in general, please reach out to ACT. If your request is in relation to an upcoming interview or your current work placement, please contact ACT to Employ