Graduate Research Papers

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Open Access Graduate Research Paper

Abstract

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in regard to employment. This title covers all areas of employment practices, which includes but is not limited to: recruitment, hiring, job assignments, rates of pay, firing, promotions, and benefits. Human resource managers are responsible for personnel and are concerned about the "cost" the ADA will have on their business. This concern is twofold in terms of 1) what reasonable accommodation is for a person with a disability and 2) what reasonable accommodation cost.

The purpose of this paper was to synthesize literature on the financial costs over the past four years for reasonable accommodations in the hiring of people with disabilities. Data regarding accommodations made and their costs were collected :from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). JAN is a free, multi-use help source and information exchange established in 1984. It is a service of the President's Committee on Employment with Disabilities.

This study reported that the costs of reasonable accommodations for the disabled are minimal. In 1992, 31% of the reasonable accommodations made cost businesses $0.00; 1993 figures showed that 25% cost $0.00; and 19% of the costs were $0.00 in 1995. Conversely, reasonable accommodations costing businesses $1,000.00 or more as reported in 1992 was 12%, 1993 was 14% and 1995 figures show 19%. An interesting fact to point out is that the cost for reasonable accommodations has decreased each year.

A small random sample of the accommodations made over the past four years were: changing desk layout :from right side to left side for data entry operator with a visual impairment ($0); purchase of a one-handed can opener for a cook ($35.); a chef was provided with a stand-up wheelchair that allowed mobility in the kitchen ($3,000.); a seamstress using a pair of ergonomically designed scissors ($18.); restroom facilities enlarged and handrail installed ($70.) to provide accessibility for a wheelchair bound employee.

The results of this paper provides data which indicates that there are minimal costs for reasonable accommodations. In addition the paper also provides several examples of reasonable accommodations that businesses have used throughout the past several years. This is extremely valuable information that must be dissimented to businesses in order to dispel the myth that reasonable accommodations are costly for businesses.

Year of Submission

1996

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Division of Leisure, Youth and Human Services

First Advisor

Susan Hudson

Comments

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Date Original

1996

Object Description

1 PDF file (47 pages)

Language

en

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