Kamuf Ward explains reasonable accommodations and cooperative dialogue
Kamuf Ward says the Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in work, housing, and public places and requires reasonable accommodations absent undue hardship. She says accommodations can include policy changes, workplace adjustments, ramps, or lifts and require a cooperative dialogue.
The Human Rights Law aims to achieve independent and equal access to all aspects of city life for New Yorkers and broadly protects people with disabilities from discrimination at work, in their living spaces, and in public places.
To this end, the law prohibits employers, housing providers, and places of public accommodation from discriminating against individuals because of an actual or perceived disability.
Service providers and housing providers must ensure full and equal enjoyment of their facilities and services, regardless of disability, and employers are prohibited from treating employees less well on the basis of disability.
The city human rights law also requires covered entities to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship.
An accommodation may include changes to policies or practices, workplace adjustments, or the installation of ramps or lifts to make a building accessible.
As noted, part of the process of providing a reasonable accommodation is the obligation to have a cooperative dialogue with an individual to help identify their needs and how to meet them.