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Free guide to reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities

Susan Silwood • 7 May 2021
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Free guide to reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities

Making reasonable Adjustments


As an employer you must make reasonable adjustments to make sure that any:


  • Workers/employees
  • Trainees
  • Apprentices
  • Contract workers
  • Business partners


Are not substantially disadvantaged when undertaking their roles


What are reasonable adjustments with disabilities ?


What is deemed to be reasonable is dependent on each situation. As an employer you must consider:


  • If the adjustment will reduce or remove the disadvantage for the person with the disability ?
  • Is it practical to make the adjustment ?
  • Are the costs reasonable and affordable for the business ?
  • If undertaken, would the adjustment pose a risk of harm to the health and safety of others ? 


These changes can include:


  • Amending the recruitment process
  • Asking candidates if they need any help or adjustments to attend interviews or under the role advertised
  • Conducting interviews on the ground floor to accommodate less able bodied candidates
  • Allowing candidates to use electronic devices to aid with completion of written tests
  • Doing things a different way
  • Making physical changes to the workplace i.e. ramps, signage, hearing support systems
  • Providing specialist work equipment, keyboards, chairs and desks
  • Training, Development
  • Offering recreation or refreshment facilities


When must an employer consider reasonable adjustments ?


An employer by law must consider / make reasonable adjustments when:


  • They became aware of or reasonably should have been aware that the employee or job applicant had a disability
  • A job applicant or employee asked for an adjustment
  • An employee is having difficulty undertaking part or all of their job role
  • An employee’s absence record or their ability to return to work after absence is delayed due to a disability 


Can an employer refuse to make changes for people with disabilities ?


Yes, an employer can refuse to make changes if they can demonstrate that any changes needed:


  • are not practically or financially reasonable
  • would fundamentally change the basic / core nature of the job role


Before considering refusing to make adjustments for someone with a disability formal legal advice should be taken


What happens if i fail to make reasonable adjustments ?


Failure of an employer to make reasonable adjustments without just cause, could be deemed by the courts to be discriminatory and could result in an unlimited tribunal award.

For additional information, employment law advice or HR support please contact us on

01905 347536

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