News and Information

Medical Verification for the Interactive Accommodation Process

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to a qualified employee with a disability, which is defined as a significant impairment of a major life acitivty. Providing “reasonable accommodation” is an interactive process, a collaborative effort involving employer and employee to determine how modifications can be made for the qualified individual (QID). 

In a recent webinar, ES&A Director Trisha Gibo discussed “Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) & Reasonable Accommodations,” including how to:

• identify a QID using the acronym “I-D-E-A” (Impairment, Disabling, Essential Function, Accommodation)
• obtain medical verification of the disability from a health care professional.
• discuss and select reasonable accommodation
• recognize “direct threats” and other special situations
• understand the differences between federal and state laws, regarding burden of proof, job descriptions, undue hardship, and damages