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ABA Family Legal Guide

The Rights of Older Americans

Nursing-Home Care

Rights of People with Disabilities

What does "reasonable accommodation" mean?

Reasonable accommodations are changes in rules or procedures that are reasonable under the circumstances, and give a disabled person equal opportunity to participate in a specific activity, program, job, or housing situation. They are very individualized and often can be worked out informally by the people involved. Examples include

  • giving a job or housing applicant more time to fill out an application;
  • providing large-print notices, leases, or other written materials;
  • waiving a no-pets rule for a tenant with a mental disability who is emotionally dependent on his or her pet, or waiving a no-guest rule for a tenant who needs a live-in aide; and
  • assisting a customer who needs help with packages, or with opening and closing doors, or even with dialing a telephone.
    • American Bar Association Family Legal Guide
    Copyright © 2004 American Bar Association
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