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Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are adjustments within a work or school environment that allow an otherwise qualified employee or student with a disability to perform the tasks required of their position/course.

Employers and educators are required to provide reasonable accommodations under two separate laws: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, amended and clarified in 2008, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. These laws do not require them to lower the standards of performance or change the qualifications needed to gain entry into a job or school program. What they are expected to do is be flexible about the way the work gets done.

We recommend that visitors interested in a deep dive on these topics visit either the Job Accommodation Network, which has a large collection of resources for employees and employers including A to Z lists on a variety of disabilities, limitations, functions, etc.; or the ADA National Network, which provides support and training to help organizations understand and comply with the ADA. The ADA National Network’s Fact Sheet on Reasonable Accommodations may be particularly helpful.

  • Fact Sheet
    How Might Psychiatric or Mental Health Conditions Affect Work Performance?

    Psychiatric or mental health conditions may interfere with an individual's ability to function at work, or they may have no effect at all. This page lists a number of possible limitations that someone with a psychiatric or mental health disability might experience in the workplace, as well as some potential accommodations, and links out to other relevant resources.

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  • Fact Sheet
    How do Mental Health & Psychiatric Conditions Interfere with School Performance?

    Psychiatric and mental health conditions may interfere with functioning in educational settings in a variety of ways. This page details some of the functional limitations that a college student with a mental health or psychiatric condition might experience and gives both examples of potential accommodations that may help them and recommended links to resources that may be helpful to students, families, or educators.

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  • Fact Sheet
    Disclosing Your Disability to an Employer

    Disclosure is a complex decision and should be made with care. Only you can decide whether and how much to tell your employer about your psychiatric or mental health condition. This page offers a guide to factors to consider when deciding and how to disclose a disability to an employer.

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Resources for the BU Community

There are two primary resources for seeking reasonable accommodation at Boston University.

Boston University Equal Opportunity Office

We recognize that people experience their work, learning, and health needs in different ways, and that asking for support can sometimes feel difficult. Reasonable accommodations are one way we work toward more equitable, accessible, and supportive environments. If you are exploring an accommodation or would like to learn about available options, the Equal Opportunity Office is here to provide guidance, collaborative problem‑solving, and support grounded in respect and care. We encourage you to visit the EOO webpage to submit a request, or connect directly with the office to explore solutions that honor your needs and circumstances.

Boston University Disability & Access Services

Students seeking disability support are directed to reach out to BU Disability & Access Services, which seeks to provide services and support to ensure that students are able to access and participate in the opportunities available at Boston University. Current students seeking to file for an accommodation can visit the information page here. They are also available by phone and email.

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