Reasonable is a pretty subjective term - it can mean a lot of different things to different people. Everything from our life experiences to the specific situation in front of us shapes how we define reasonable. As I sought out different ideas about what reasonable means in the context of the Americans with Disabilities Act, I came across this: In the context of the ADA, the term “reasonable” is central - but deliberately flexible. This phrase really gets at the heart of how the ADA is designed to function in real-world settings.
The concept of reasonable is the foundation of the ADA; in other words, it’s central. Those of us whose daily work is immersed in the ADA hear that word often. And an entity’s obligations hinge on it, whether it’s a reasonable accommodation, reasonable modification, or reasonably achievable barrier removal. Reasonable is what makes compliance achievable by all organizations, from a massive corporation to a tiny local government agency.
The law also recognizes that context matters. Reasonable is a flexible, context-dependent term. What is reasonable in one setting such as a public library, might be wholly unreasonable in another such as a jail. What works beautifully for one person in a small classroom might fall apart for the same person in a crowded sports stadium. This is where that other well-known term, interactive process, comes into play.
Considerations can include:
- Resources: major retailer versus a mom-n-pop local shop.
- Operational: secure facility versus a DMV office.
- The individual (the nature of the disability and how the individual meets their own needs): deaf employee versus a customer who uses a wheelchair.
- Nature of the program or service: Interrogation versus traffic stop.
Even if three of the four are the same, one difference might change what's reasonable. It’s context dependent.
Because the word “reasonable” is central - but deliberately flexible, the ADA stays relevant over time. It evolves with technology, practice, and creativity. Much of the technology we use today wasn’t available when the ADA was written, or even when it was amended. Imagine if the authors had locked us into prescriptive, one-size-fits-all remedies! Flexibility allows us to be creative.
At its core, ADA compliance really comes down to one question: “Given the circumstances, what action reasonably and effectively provides access or opportunity without unreasonably imposing an undue burden or fundamentally altering the nature of the service?” That’s what keeps the ADA’s protections both meaningful and sustainable.
Guest blog by Chris Smith, MBA, ADAC, Deputy/ADA Coordinator Larimer County Sheriff's Office, and RMADAC Advisory Committee member.