Unfortunately, those with a disability may find that many fail to ensure accessibility is taken into consideration. As such, if you experience discrimination in the workplace, you may not know what to do, as you may worry about facing retaliation. However, the law is on your side. There are many laws in place to help protect those with certain conditions from experiencing discrimination from their employers. If you believe you’ve been the victim of unfair treatment because of a disability, you’ll want to keep reading. You’ll learn what disabilities the law protects, the accommodations you can request, and how a California employment discrimination lawyer can fight for you.

What Disabilties Are Protected Classes?

Under the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), those with disabilities are protected from housing, education, and employment discrimination. This helps protect those with mental and physical disabilities.

Mental disabilities include intellectual impairments like organic brain syndrome or learning disabilities, while others like alcoholism or depression require relevant services. Physical disabilities include diseases like hypertension or cancer, while mobility impairments like paralysis or blindness are also protected. Similarly, disfigured employees are shielded under discrimination laws.

Not only does federal law protect those with disabilities, but the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provides additional protections. This helps ensure employers cannot refuse to hire, promote, or accommodate those with disabilities.

What Accommodations Can I Request for a Disability?

If you have a disability, you are allowed to request reasonable modifications which your employer must provide. Common examples of these accommodations include:

  • Modifying your work schedule
  • Providing tools or additional equipment to help you perform your job duties
  • Changing your workspace for better navigation
  • Granting a leave of absence to tend to your disability
  • Restructuring your job duties to help you complete your job duties

If fulfilling any of these accommodations would place undue hardship on your employer, they may research and offer alternative yet equal accommodations. It is necessary to understand that your employer can ask how your disability impacts your ability to do your job to accommodate you to the best of their abilities.

What Should I Do if I’m Facing Discrimination?

If your employer outright refuses to accommodate your disability, treats you differently because of your condition, or verbally abuses you, you are facing discrimination. As such, you can hold your employer legally responsible for the hardships you’ve experienced because of them.

At Stansbury Brown Law, we believe no one should face discrimination because of a disability. As such, we will do everything possible to hold your employer responsible for their actions. Our dedicated and compassionate team is ready to fight for the justice you deserve. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you if you’re a victim of workplace discrimination due to a disability.