Am I Allowed to Ask for Help? Navigating Disability Accommodations

By: Nathan Quinn

3 Min Read

If you're dealing with a medical condition that affects your job, even in small ways, you might need an accommodation. That could mean a better chair for your back, a flexible schedule to attend therapy, or time off for medical treatment. These are normal requests, and the law says you’re entitled to make them. But in reality, many federal employees feel scared or ashamed to ask for help, worried it will make them look weak or incapable.

Let’s be clear: asking for support to do your job is not a weakness. It’s a right.

The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) protects federal employees with physical or mental health conditions. The law says your employer has to provide what’s called a reasonable accommodation unless it would cause significant hardship to the agency. That means they have to work with you to find a solution that helps you succeed - whether that’s modifying your work area, adjusting your hours, or giving you time to recover.

So how do you make the request?

Start with a simple email. You don’t need to write a long explanation. Just say, “I’m requesting reasonable accommodation under the ADAAA” and briefly describe what you need. Keep a copy of that email, and any responses you receive. It’s important to have a paper trail in case anything goes wrong later.

Your employer may ask for documentation from a doctor. That’s normal - but they are not allowed to ask for your full medical history, mental health notes, or unrelated diagnoses. They just need enough information to understand how your condition affects your job and what accommodations might help.

If your request is denied or ignored, they must explain why. You also have the right to suggest alternatives. This is supposed to be a conversation, not a one-way decision.

Sadly, some employees face pushback after asking for help. Your performance reviews might suddenly drop. You could be left out of meetings or passed over for assignments. These things aren’t just unfair - they may be illegal retaliation.

You have just 45 days from the date of a denial, delay, or act of retaliation to contact your agency’s EEO counselor. That clock starts ticking quickly, so don’t wait.

At Quinn Patton LLC, we’ve helped countless federal employees request accommodations and challenge unfair treatment. We make sure your request is handled properly, your medical privacy is respected, and your rights are enforced.

Here’s how we can support you:

• We’ll help you plan your request so you don’t make common mistakes.

• We’ll make sure your employer doesn’t ask for more medical info than they’re allowed to.

• If they push back or retaliate, we’re ready to take legal action to protect your job.

You shouldn’t have to choose between your health and your paycheck. Let us help you stand up for both.

  Call: (443) 247-5444

 Email: alishaw@quinnpatton.com (Intake specialist)

 Book online: Schedule Here

This post is informational and does not constitute legal advice.