Reasonable accommodation

A modification or adjustment to a job, work environment, or workplace process that enables an employee with a disability to perform essential job functions and enjoy equal employment opportunities. Reasonable accommodations can include flexible work hours, quiet workspaces, modified meeting formats, assistive technology, adjusted deadlines, remote work options, and changes to communication practices. The concept is enshrined in disability rights legislation such as the ADA (US), Equality Act (UK), and similar laws worldwide, though what constitutes "reasonable" varies by jurisdiction and employer resources. For neurodivergent workers, common accommodations include noise-canceling headphones, written rather than verbal instructions, advance meeting agendas, and flexibility around social expectations like eye contact during conversations.