Marginal function

A marginal function is a job-related task that is not an essential aspect of the job. Because this task is non-essential, it could be removed from an employee’s job responsibilities if the employee were unable to perform the task due to a disability. In fact, removing a marginal function could be a reasonable accommodation. For example, consider a person who works as a housekeeper at a hotel. This person can walk well but cannot walk up and down stairs. If a small part of the job is to clean the stairwell, the hotel could reassign that responsibility to another housekeeping staff member as a reasonable accommodation.

Marginal functions are different from essential functions—essential functions are tasks that are core aspects of a job.

[ Compare to: Essential function ]

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  • Introduction to the Service Animal Toolkit
    07/27/2022- Do customers bring dogs into your business claiming they are service animals, emotional support animals, comfort dogs, or therapy dogs? Join Chris Sweet, technical assistant for the Northeast ADA Cent...
  • Northeast ADA Center Year in Review 2020
    01/28/2021- While COVID-19 was certainly one of the largest stories of 2020, other ADA items of note happened as well. Join the technical assistance team of the Northeast ADA Center as they review the year 2020....
  • ADA 101.2 Overview of Title I and Employment
    04/26/2021- This webinar is the third in the Northeast ADA's ADA 101 series. Intended for those new to the Americans with Disabilities Act or for those wanting a refresher, this webinar will focus on the employme...
  • ADA 101.1 Defining Disability
    03/26/2021- This presentation builds on the introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) given in the webinar ADA 101. Intended for those new to the ADA or for those wanting a refresher, this webinar...

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Help America Vote Act
Social media banner from the Northeast ADA Center with an image of a sandwich board sign. The sign says Vote Here, and it shows an American flag and a universal accessibility symbol. “If I have a disability, what does the Help America Vote Act of 2002 provide for me? A polling site must have a voting machine that provides an equal chance for me to vote privately and independently.” Voter
ADA and accessible voting
Social media banner from the Northeast ADA Center showing people with disabilities in a gym; one of them holds a sign that says vote. Big text over the image says: “What does the Americans with Disabilities Act say about voting? Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to make their programs accessible to people with disabilities through physical access and reasonable modifications. They must also provide auxiliary aids and services.” Voter
Accessible polling sites for voters
Social media banner from the Northeast ADA Center that consists primarily of large text. The text says: “Do polling sites need to be accessible for people with disabilities? Federal election polling sites must be physically accessible, or if this is not possible, a site must offer other ways of casting a ballot. This requirement is from the Voting and Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984.
Assistance to cast a vote
Social media banner from the Northeast ADA Center that consists primarily of large text. The text says: If I have a disability, can I have assistance to cast my vote? The Voting Rights Act of 1965 permits a voter to have someone help them while voting. The only person not allowed to help is their employer, or an agent of their employer or union.
Essential Job Function
Social media graphic with a of a warehouse worker driving a cart. The text says: What is an essential job function under Title I of the ADA? It’s a job task central to a position that the employee must be able to perform with or without an accommodation.