Employment Law Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The first step in the “3-step process” for determining workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the identification of the disability. This step is crucial because it establishes whether the employee has a diagnosed condition that qualifies as a disability under the ADA guidelines. Understanding the nature of the disability aids employers in recognizing the specific limitations the employee may face in relation to job functions.

Identifying the disability enables the employer to understand the reasonable accommodations that may be necessary. Once the disability is confirmed, it allows for a more effective assessment of how that disability interacts with the essential functions of the job and what accommodations might be appropriate. Without correctly pinpointing the disability, the subsequent steps—evaluating essential job functions and exploring reasonable accommodations—would not be as focused or effective. Hence, identification serves as the foundational element of the ADA accommodation process.