The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law designed to protect people with disabilities from discrimination. Over the years, updates have been made to the ADA law, like the Amendment Act of 2008, which covers other aspects beyond physical accommodation. The ADA requirements have existed since 1990. However, states and local governments have continued to update them with technology.
However, many employers and workers are curious about ADA compliance in the workplace. ADA compliance in the workplace is about creating an accommodating environment for employees with disabilities, especially when an organization understands the ADA requirements they need to follow.
In this article, we’ll explain some of the essential functions to practice to guarantee ADA compliance in the workplace. Read on:
- Avoid Disability Assumptions
Some people live with disabilities even if they’re not visible. In your workplace, there’s always a probability that every qualified applicant could be living with a disability, whether it’s physical or mental. Whether they mention it or not, you must treat them according to the ADA guidelines and requirements. Ignoring their conditions could have legal repercussions.
- Follow the Official Process
Ordinarily, you may not know how to comply with ADA requirements and treat workers with disabilities right. However, the government already has the process laid out. You only need to follow the process at your organization when accessing an employee’s needs and determining how you can assist.
It’s unnecessary to go overboard for a disabled worker; however, following the required process for ADA compliance is essential in accommodating a disabled employee.
- Maintain Thorough Documentation
Your organization is responsible for addressing employee ADA regulation issues; hence, your organization should fully document every step taken in accessibility issues. Reporting accessibility issues, no matter how insignificant they may seem, will come in handy when you need to defend your organization against an ADA regulation violation lawsuit. Documentation proves to show that your business never violated any ADA rules.
- Treat Workers As Individuals
In your workplace, there might be two individuals with the same disability. However, this doesn’t mean they have the exact needs. In essence, all employees with disabilities require individualized solutions. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to address disability issues, so you must pay attention to your employee’s individual needs and relate with them based on the needs of that particular disability.
- Digital Accessibility Matters Too
Workplace ADA compliance doesn’t necessarily involve buying new equipment or changing office space. Sometimes, you can go digital. Disabled employees in your workplace should also have access to the digital properties.
They should be able to access your business’s website, software, inter-office documents, job portals, and social media profiles according to the requirements of the latest version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines ((WCAG).
- Keep in mind the FMLA
The Family and Medical Leave Act empowers employees to require work leave under exceptional circumstances. As an organization, you’re against the law if you fire an employee when they’re absent from work due to pregnancy or family issues.
Conclusion
Ensuring your company follows the workplace ADA compliance requirements can be challenging, but you must do it to avoid courtroom battles in the future. By following the ADA guidelines and accommodating employees with disabilities, you can be sure that your organization is ADA-compliant
Also, you need help to ensure your organization is ADA-compliant all-round. You need to work with the best contractor, like us at All Things Inspector, to ensure your business is ADA-compliant.
You can rely on us to perform an ADA accessibility survey to check ADA-knee clearance at the counter in your organization. Contact us to learn how we can help your company meet the current ADA requirements. We are excited to help you meet the needs of every employee in your organization.