Self-Advocacy in the Workplace: 10 Tips for Talking to Your Employer about Accommodations
Employers who provide accommodations to workers with disabilities create a healthy company culture, promote inclusivity, and boost productivity by working with their employees’ needs rather than against them. Federal law mandates that employers with 15 or more employees must make reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities who need them. Still, approaching your boss to request accommodations can be intimidating, as you may be hesitant to open up about your disability and may fear their perception or reaction.
If you need to discuss accommodations with your employer, follow these 10 tips for creating a positive & productive conversation:
1. Brainstorm problems & solutions
Jot down a list of the challenges you’re facing at work, getting as specific as possible to identify all areas that could benefit from adjustments in the workplace. Wherever possible, brainstorm ideas for solutions and reasonable accommodations that could alleviate each challenge. For example, if you have a chronic health condition that makes it difficult for you to walk from the parking deck to the office, a reserved parking spot could greatly reduce your trek. If dysgraphia is making it difficult to complete your assignments on time, perhaps the use of dictation software would help you finish your work more efficiently.
Other common workplace accommodations include:
Receiving feedback in either verbal or written formats, depending on which format is easier to process
Receiving clear checklists of tasks to complete in sequential order
Reassignment or changes in job duties that reflect the employees’ strengths
Flexible working hours to accommodate medical and/or therapy appointments
Receiving visual or audio aids
Bringing a service animal to the office
2. Decide what you want to share
It’s up to you to decide how much information you are willing to share with your employer. For simpler accommodations, you may not need to disclose that you have a disability at all, but some employers may require documentation of your disability in order to grant any form of accommodations. Before approaching your employer, take some time to think over the level of detail you are comfortable sharing; if you want to share as little as possible, plan to request the accommodation first, and only consider sharing additional details if it’s required.
3. Time your ask
You can ask for accommodations at any point throughout your employment, but it’s best to secure accommodations before any challenges can severely impact your work performance. Seeking accommodations early can also get ahead of any negative perceptions that your employer might develop if they see you struggling to perform but don’t understand why. For example, if you are struggling to get to work on time due to medical appointments, it is best to let your employer know early so they can adjust their expectations for your arrival time.
4. Gather documentation
Workplace accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis, and employers sometimes require documentation of your disability from a certified evaluator. Diagnostic documentation can help your employer understand the specific tasks that are difficult for you to perform and the accommodations that are necessary for you to succeed. Because there is no comprehensive list of conditions that qualify for accommodations, nor is there a list of specific accommodations for each qualifying condition, official documentation can significantly increase your odds of receiving your employer’s support.
Need documentation to secure accommodations at work? Schedule your consultation below to learn how we can help.
5. Review your company handbook
Although employers are not federally mandated to establish policies regarding accommodation requests, many companies have proactively developed processes to ensure their practices treat employees fairly and align with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Look through your company handbook to see whether it provides any guidance on formal processes to follow, as well as the appropriate person(s) to contact for requesting support.
6. Schedule the conversation
If your company handbook details a formal process, follow the steps that it outlines. Otherwise, reach out to your manager or Human Resources department to let them know that you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss workplace accommodations. It may be helpful to reach out via email to have your correspondence in writing for future reference and accountability.
7. Go in with a goal
While it can be scary to open up about your needs, remembering the goal of the conversation can help you speak with confidence. Keep in mind that your goal is to remove barriers so that you can do your best at your job: an outcome that is ideal for both you and your employer. Let your boss know that you are committed to performing your duties well, and that reasonable adjustments will help you do so more effectively. Discuss the challenges that you’ve been dealing with, share the potential solutions that you brainstormed, and invite your employer to share any ideas they have for solutions as well.
Examples:
(Not sharing about your disability): “Thank you for meeting with me. I enjoy working here and I am committed to bringing my best to this position. I wanted to discuss some workplace adjustments that I believe would help me increase productivity…”
(Sharing about your disability): “Thank you for meeting with me. I requested this meeting to share with you that I have a diagnosis called dyslexia. It affects my ability to read, and it often makes it difficult for me to check emails and present reports. I would like to share some ideas for tools I could use that would help me work around my symptoms and enhance the quality of my work…”
8. Emphasize confidentiality
Your employer should know that they are legally bound to keep any details of your disability confidential, and information regarding your disability must only be shared on a need-to-know basis. Still, it is worth verbalizing (or writing via secured email) your expectation that your personal information be kept confidential.
Example:
“Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Understanding the sensitivity of the information I have shared, please keep the details of our conversation confidential.”
9. Keep a paper trail
Save copies of all emails or documents related to your accommodations request or conversations regarding your needs with your employer. This can provide a reference for you to look back on should you need to follow up on past commitments from your employer, or hold them accountable should they fail to fulfill reasonable accommodations that you are entitled to. Records of past communications can also come in handy if you need to request different accommodations in the future and need to look back on forms and processes to complete new requests.
10. Seek support
If your disability is not visibly obvious to your employer, they may require documentation from a medical or mental health professional to approve your accommodation request. Our doctors at Variations Psychology provide diagnostic testing to assess for a variety of conditions that warrant workplace accommodations, including ADHD, autism , dyslexia, dysgraphia, processing disorders, and other diagnoses. Our team can provide the necessary documentation to substantiate your accommodations request, and outline the workplace supports that will promote your successful career.
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References:
A Guide to Requesting Reasonable Accommodations. (2024). ADA National Network. Retrieved from https://adata.org/employment-resource-hub/guide-requesting-reasonable-accommodations
Morgan, Paula. (2021). Common Mistakes When Asking For Accommodations – And How To Avoid Them. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulamorgan/2021/08/04/common-mistakes-when-asking-for-accommodationsand-how-to-avoid-them/?sh=1fef7d1728d4
Employees’ Practical Guide to Requesting and negotiating Reasonable Accommodations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (n.d.). Job Accommodation Network. Retrieved from https://askjan.org/publications/individuals/employee-guide.cfm
Employers’ Practical Guide to Reasonable Accommodation Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (n.d.). Job Accommodation Network. Retrieved from https://askjan.org/publications/employers/employers-guide.cfm
Morgan, Mary. (2023). How To Ask for Accommodations at Work (Witch Steps and Tips). Indeed. Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-ask-for-accommodations-at-work
Self-Advocacy in the Workplace: Requesting Job Accommodations. (n.d.). Learning Disabilities Association of America. Retrieved from https://ldaamerica.org/info/self-advocacy-in-the-workplace-requesting-job-accommodations/
Shinn. M.M. (2020). 10 Signs You’ve Been “Adulting” with a Processing Disorder. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/10-signs-a-processing-disorder-is-behind-your-career-struggles
Shinn. M.M. (2018). ADHD or Just Kids Being Kids? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/adhd-or-just-kids-being-kids
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Shinn. M.M. (2018). I Can’t Spell Dyslexia – Do I Have It? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/i-cant-spell-dyslexia-do-i-have-it
Shinn. M.M. (2020). Understanding Education Plans: A Parent’s Guide to 504s and IEPs. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/understanding-education-plans-a-parents-guide-to-504s-and-ieps
Shinn. M.M. (2024). What Parents Need to Know About Dysgraphia: The Learning Disability that Impairs Writing. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blog/what-parents-need-to-know-about-dysgraphia-the-learning-disability-that-impairs-writing
Touger, Molly (2023). How to ask for a workplace accommodation. Understood. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/how-to-ask-for-workplace-accommodation
How to Cite This Blog Article:
Shinn. M.M. (2024). Self-Advocacy in the Workplace: 10 Tips for Talking to Your Employer about Accommodations. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from: https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/self-advocacy-in-the-workplace-10-tips-for-talking-to-your-employer-about-accommodations