Legal Question in Disability Law in California
Disabled Parking Spaces for Employees
My employer has refused to offer me a disabled parking space next to the building. They have asked their disabled employees to park in a lot that is approx. 1/8 to 1/4 mile from the building. However they do offer disabled parking to their customers in their public lot directly next to the building. Is this considered a reasonable accommodation for a disabled driver?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Disabled Parking Spaces for Employees
Whether an accommodation is reasonable depends on the facts. If a disabled employee is easily able to walk the distance to the employee lot, then that is reasonable. If it is a hardship, and closer parking is possible, it might not be reasonable.
Go talk to Human Resources (personnel) dept. and explain why the space they offered is not adequate. Suggest they give you a different space and be very clear why your disability requires that space.
Re: Disabled Parking Spaces for Employees
Probably not. You may be able to get the company to change their position by pointing out that if the customers need close in parking under the law, so do the disabled employees. If you can't get it resolved, an attorney may be able to 'persuade' them to do the right thing. Contact me to discuss if interested.