Rights and Responsibilities
When you start thinking about work, it’s important to know both your rights and your responsibilities. Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) protect people with disabilities from discrimination in certain workplaces and programs.
If a business, school, or program receives federal funding, or if it’s covered under these laws, it must provide equal opportunities and may need to make changes so you can participate. This includes your local American Job Center.
Explore your rights in at these key times: Before You Get a Job | After You Are Hired
Your Rights Before You Get a Job
Job Recruitment & Applications
- Employers can’t use hiring practices that exclude people with disabilities.
- They must make the application process accessible—this could mean large-print forms, online applications, or help filling them out.
- Employers cannot ask disability-related questions on applications. They may ask if you have a disability only for voluntary Affirmative Action purposes, and they must explain that sharing is optional and confidential.
- If testing is part of the application, you can ask for reasonable accommodations (like extra time or alternative formats) before taking the test.
Interviews
- If you need an accommodation for the interview (like a sign language interpreter or an accessible location), you must ask for it in advance.
- Employers may ask about your ability to do the essential functions of the job, with or without accommodations, but they cannot ask if you have a disability or what medications you take.
- Employers cannot require a medical exam before offering you the job. After an offer is made, they may ask health-related questions or require a medical exam—but only if they do this for all people hired for similar jobs.
Your Rights Before You Get a Job
Reasonable Accommodations
- You can request accommodations at any time—when you start the job or later if your needs change.
- Accommodations can include changes to your workspace, job tasks, schedule, or company facilities (break rooms, restrooms, cafeterias, or transportation provided by the company).
- You do not have to pay for accommodations. Employers cover the cost unless it would cause them “undue hardship” (significant difficulty or expense).
- Employers do not have to provide the exact accommodation you request, but they must work with you to find an effective solution.
Work Environment
- The workplace should be accessible beyond just your job tasks.
- If you get health insurance through your employer, they don’t have to add extra coverage for disability-related medical needs beyond what’s offered to all employees.
- If you acquire a disability while on the job, you can still request accommodations to help you continue working.
Your Responsibilities
- Speak up and request accommodations when you need them—employers can’t provide help if they don’t know what you need.
- Be prepared to explain how an accommodation will help you do the job.
- Participate in the interactive process with your employer to find solutions.
- Learn about your rights so you can advocate for yourself during hiring and on the job.
