What is the essential eligibility standard for employment under the ADA?

• A. Applicants must have perfect attendance
• B. Reasonable accommodations always include modifying the job
• C. An employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations
• D. Employers must hire all applicants with disabilities

Answer: (C)

The essential eligibility standard is that a person must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. Under the ADA, a candidate or employee is considered qualified if they can do the core duties of the job, either as written or with adjustments that help them perform those duties. Reasonable accommodations are allowed to enable performance, such as equipment, modified work schedules, or adjusted tasks, as long as providing them doesn’t cause undue hardship for the employer. This principle means you don’t require perfect attendance or unlimited modifications, and you don’t have to hire every applicant with a disability if they cannot perform the essential functions even with accommodations.