Learn about the Americans With Disabilities Act and how it may apply to your condition.
Illustration by Jake Shi for Verywell Health
What Is the Americans With Disabilities Act?
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is legislation that prohibits discrimination against disabled individuals.
Illustration by Jake Shi for Verywell Health
A disability is defined as:
Is IBS Covered?
If a person’sIBS symptomssignificantly impact on a major life ability, IBS would qualify as a covered disability.
It requires such employers to ensure that disabled individuals have an opportunity to benefit from all work-related opportunities.
This includes such things as hiring, promotions, salary, raises and training opportunities.
You do not have to mention the ADA or the term “reasonable accommodation.”
Your employer is entitled to ask for documentation regarding your IBS and the limitations it results in.
The ADA recommends that you and your employer work together to determine what accommodation is needed.
The act requires the employer to act quickly in responding to your request and in providing the necessary accommodation.
How Do You Know If an Accommodation Is Reasonable?
TheJob Accommodation Networkprovides free guidance regarding accommodations for disabled workers.
One would imagine that comfortable access to a restroom would be considered to be a reasonable request.
The ADA also takes on the issue of “unpaid leave.”
This would be applicable to those of you for whom yourIBS is so severethat you frequently miss work.
EEOC Informal Discussion Letter.
Fact Sheet on the EEOCs Final Regulations Implementing the ADAAA.
The ADA: Your Employment Rights as an Individual With a Disability.
ADA - Your Employment Rights as an Individual With a Disability.
JAN.
Employer-Provided Leave and the Americans with Disabilities Act[1].
Employer-Provided Leave and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Small Employers And Reasonable AccommodationU.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Notice Concerning The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
