TL;DR Conducting an internal accommodations audit is essential for ensuring compliance with the ADA, PWFA, and Title VII, and fostering an inclusive workplace. Download our comprehensive resource to guide you through the process and address key considerations to improve your accommodations procedures.
As we approach the end of the fiscal year, HR leaders are focusing on ensuring their accommodation processes align with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. An internal accommodations audit is essential for identifying gaps, ensuring compliance, and safeguarding your organization from potential legal risks.
This article explores why performing an ADA compliance audit is critical for your business, highlighting key considerations in the audit process and touching on related laws like PWFA and Title VII. We’ll also show how an audit can drive inclusivity and efficiency across your company.
Want to download the template to kickstart your internal accommodations audit now? 👇Scroll down to the end.
In today's regulatory environment, laws like the ADA, PWFA, and Title VII are crucial for ensuring equal opportunities in the workplace. However, many businesses fail to regularly audit compliance with these laws, which can lead to costly legal battles, loss of trust, and a negative workplace environment. Here’s why performing an internal accommodations audit should be a priority in 2024:
The ADA requires businesses to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Similarly, PWFA requires employers to provide accommodations for pregnant workers, and Title VII prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Failing to comply with these regulations can expose your business to lawsuits, EEOC investigations, and significant financial penalties.
For example, under the PWFA, an employee who experiences pregnancy-related conditions must be provided with reasonable accommodations similar to those offered under the ADA. Conducting an accommodations audit will ensure your organization complies with these overlapping legal requirements.
Conducting a thorough ADA audit and assessing your PWFA and Title VII compliance will enhance workplace inclusivity. Employees who feel supported and accommodated tend to be more engaged, productive, and loyal. A study by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) found that providing accommodations often resulted in direct benefits for companies, including increased employee retention and productivity.
With the increasing focus on disability inclusion, pregnancy accommodations, and the prevention of workplace discrimination, your business must ensure that all employees have access to the accommodations they need to succeed. Auditing your processes ensures that accommodations requests are handled consistently and fairly across the board.
A successful ADA compliance audit goes beyond basic accessibility and must incorporate elements of PWFA and Title VII compliance. Let’s explore some key areas to consider when auditing your workplace accommodations processes.
*Note: This list is not comprehensive. Download the template below to explore additional key considerations for your internal accommodations audit.
The first step in an ADA compliance audit is evaluating how accommodation requests are handled. Are you addressing disability-related requests, pregnancy accommodations, and religious accommodations under Title VII in a consistent and efficient manner? Key areas to audit include:
Making sure your process is transparent and compliant with these laws will ensure a smooth and inclusive workplace accommodation experience.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which took effect in 2023 and was finalized in 2024, extends protections to pregnant employees requiring reasonable accommodations, such as more frequent breaks, modified duties, or time off. Likewise, Title VII requires reasonable accommodations for employees facing religious conflicts or gender-related issues.
Your internal audit should include:
Ensuring your compliance with both the ADA and PWFA avoids legal pitfalls and protects the rights of your employees.
Your audit should identify critical bottlenecks to maintain efficiency and prevent delays in the accommodation process. Questions to consider:
You'll improve compliance and employee satisfaction by identifying areas where your process could be streamlined—such as automating parts of your accommodations workflow or better utilizing HR resources.
The accommodation process must be transparent and accessible for all employees. During your audit, review how well employees understand the process and how effectively HR communicates about accommodations. Ask:
Improving communication channels and methods will create clear, accessible resources to ensure employees feel supported and protected. In addition, it will ensure that organizations operate compliantly and implement a system of record that protects both the employee and the organization. Not sure how to set up a system of record for accommodations? Contact Disclo for more information.
As the fiscal year-end approaches, conducting a comprehensive audit of your workplace accommodations is critical for avoiding legal risks, ensuring compliance, and promoting an inclusive company culture. With overlapping and rapidly evolving requirements from the ADA, PWFA, and Title VII, your internal accommodations audit must be thorough and aligned with the latest legal standards.
Don’t wait until it's too late. Conducting an internal accommodations audit now ensures you’re ready for the challenges and regulatory developments of 2025. This audit will help you identify gaps, reduce risks, and create a more inclusive, compliant workplace. By addressing accessibility issues and streamlining your accommodation process, you’ll be prepared to support your employees fully and avoid costly legal missteps.
Get step-by-step guidance on evaluating your company’s internal accommodations processes with our template.
Fill out the form below to download the full Internal Accommodations Audit Template.
