What are my legal obligations as a business owner in Pennsylvania when it comes to providing accommodations for disabled employees or customers?

As a business owner in Pennsylvania, you are required by law to provide reasonable accommodations to your disabled employees or customers under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA applies to businesses with 15 or more employees and prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all types of employment practices, including hiring, firing, promotions, and training.

Under the ADA, reasonable accommodations are adjustments or modifications to the work environment that enable a qualified employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of their job or to enable a disabled customer to access your goods or services. Reasonable accommodations can include making physical changes to the workplace such as installing a wheelchair ramp, providing assistive technology or equipment, modifying work schedules or duties, and allowing for telecommuting.

It's important to note that employers are only required to provide accommodations that are reasonable and do not impose an undue hardship on the business. An undue hardship is a significant difficulty or expense that would make providing the accommodation too burdensome. Whether an accommodation is reasonable or an undue hardship will depend on the circumstances of each case, including the nature of the job or business, the cost of the accommodation, and the resources available to the employer.

It is recommended that business owners engage in an interactive process with the disabled employee or customer to identify what accommodations may be necessary and to work collaboratively to find an effective solution. If you are unsure about what accommodations may be considered reasonable or how to engage in the interactive process, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced employment law attorney.

In summary, Pennsylvania law requires businesses to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled employees or customers under the ADA. Employers are only required to provide accommodations that are reasonable and do not impose an undue hardship on the business. It is recommended that employers engage in an interactive process with the disabled employee or customer to determine what accommodations may be necessary. If you have concerns about your obligations as a business owner under the ADA, it is best to consult with an experienced employment law attorney.