How should employee training programs be addressed to comply with the ADA?

Employers have an obligation under the ADA to provide workers with disabilities with the opportunity to participate in training to improve job performance and for career advancement. Training opportunities may not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations to the training process, unless accommodation would be an undue hardship.

Accommodations that may be necessary, depending on the needs of the particular worker, include:

• Accessible locations and facilities for employees with mobility disabilities;

• Interpreters or note-takers for workers with hearing impairments;

• Material in accessible formats;

• Readers for employees with visual, learning or mental disabilities;

• Captions for employees with hearing impairments and voice overs for employees with visual impairments when audiovisual materials are used;

• Good general illumination for employees with disabilities, especially those who use interpreters;

• Clarifying concepts presented in training for employees with reading and other disabilities; and

• Individualized instruction for employees with mental and other disabilities.

Employers that contract for training or training facilities are responsible for assuring accessibility and other needed accommodations.