Which law is responsible for the requirement of reasonable accommodations in employment?

The law that mandates reasonable accommodations in employment for individuals with disabilities is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This critical piece of legislation prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs and activities receiving federal funding, which includes most employers.

Under Section 504, entities are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees to ensure equal opportunity in the workplace. This means that if an employee has a disability that hinders their ability to perform specific job functions, employers must take reasonable steps to accommodate those needs, such as modifying work schedules, providing assistive technology, or making physical changes to the work environment.

This law has been foundational in affirming the rights of individuals with disabilities and setting the precedent for future legislation aimed at protecting these rights in various settings, including education and public services. Other laws mentioned, like P.L. 101-476, specifically relate to educational rights and services for children with disabilities, whereas PL 100-407 and PL 108-446 focus on assistive technology and individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) respectively, but they do not directly address employment accommodations.