Re: wheelchair and work

[Guest guest]

Matt,

It's a tricky deal. Companies are supposed to make " reasonable accommodations "

but they basically get to decide what is and is not reasonable (at least that

was the case 5 years ago).

I suspect that providing a wheelchair is NOT considered reasonable since it's a

personal transportation device, however, moving your office closer to the door

IS reasonable. Providing a RAMP for wheelchair access is reasonable

accommodation as is adjusting an office desk to allow a wheelchair to fit and

meet ergonomic

requirements. AND if an employer requires you to be upstairs and cannot change

that arrangement (i.e., offices upstairs, production facilities downstairs),

they would be required to provide an elevator -- not as reasonable accommodation

but by the ADA guidelines

EXCEPT if the company is a totally private organization

-- in other words, I cannot make my company install elevators, handicap parking,

or anything like that because they are not open to the public -- I have to enter

through a security gate and everything is on their private property.

I'm assuming that your employer doesn't just have a wheelchair around for folks

to use (i.e., like a Wal-Mart or something would). If they did, it would

probably be arguable that to loan it to you is

reasonable.

[Guest guest]

I agree with this poster. The ada act does not say they have to provide you

with a wheelchair to use at work that is something that is personal. Your

insurance should provide that if your dr thinks you need it. Youe company

should make the necessary changes to make the workplace accessable but

they don't need to provide you a wheelchair.

bob