Cook Illinois Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 Reasonable Accommodation Claim: Explained and Defined In the legal realm of employment discrimination, Cook Illinois Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 Reasonable Accommodation Claim holds significant importance. This instruction provides guidance to juries regarding the analysis of claims related to reasonable accommodation under various laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Reasonable accommodation refers to a legal obligation imposed on employers to provide adjustments or modifications to the work environment that enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The Cook Illinois Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 Reasonable Accommodation Claim ensures that jurors comprehend the complexities involved in determining whether an employer has fulfilled their duty of reasonable accommodation adequately. To grasp the nuances of this instruction, it is essential to understand key terminologies and elements: 1. Reasonable Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation refers to adjustments made in the workplace, such as modifying work schedules, providing assistive devices, altering job duties, or adjusting workplace policies, that allow individuals with disabilities to fulfill the essential functions of their job without causing undue hardship to the employer. 2. Essential Functions: Essential functions are core duties that an individual must perform in a particular job. These functions are determined based on factors such as the job description, employer's opinion, and previous employment practices. 3. Undue Hardship: A reasonable accommodation must not impose unreasonable financial or operational burdens on the employer. Factors such as the size and resources of the employer, the nature of the business, and the impact on the overall workplace must be considered while determining undue hardship. 4. Discrimination: The instruction also guides jurors in recognizing instances where an employer fails to provide reasonable accommodation to an individual with a disability. Discrimination occurs when a disabled individual is treated less favorably than others due to their disability, resulting in adverse employment actions or conditions. There can be various types of Cook Illinois Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 Reasonable Accommodation Claims depending on the specific law applied or the context of the case, such as: 1. Reasonable Accommodation under the ADA: This instruction addresses claims filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in employment practices. The instruction outlines the obligations of employers and helps jurors assess whether employers made sufficient efforts to provide reasonable accommodation. 2. Reasonable Accommodation under the Rehabilitation Act: This instruction pertains to claims brought under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs receiving federal financial assistance. Jury instruction assists in analyzing claims against federal employers or federally funded entities for their adherence to reasonable accommodation requirements. In conclusion, Cook Illinois Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 Reasonable Accommodation Claim is a crucial guidepost for jurors in assessing whether an employer fulfilled their legal obligations to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Understanding the various elements and types of claims under this instruction is essential for adjudicating cases involving employment discrimination based on disability.