A technologist suffering from hearing loss that is not accommodated with closed caption technology in the workplace suffers from:
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Disability discrimination
Explanation:
Disability discrimination occurs when an employee or job applicant is treated unfavorably because of a disability. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship for the business. Reasonable accommodations can include modifying equipment, adjusting work schedules, or implementing assistive technologies such as closed captioning for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
In this case, the technologist is experiencing hearing loss—a condition that qualifies as a disability under the ADA if it substantially limits major life activities like hearing and communication. If the employer fails to provide closed captioning or other effective communication aids, they are not fulfilling their legal obligation to accommodate the employee’s needs. This failure can be classified as disability discrimination, as the employee is being denied equal access to communication, training, or participation in workplace activities.
Closed caption technology is a widely available and low-cost solution, especially in tech-driven workplaces. Refusing to implement such a solution, or ignoring the employee’s request for it, shows a disregard for inclusive practices and federal law. The lack of accommodation may lead to isolation, reduced job performance, or limited advancement opportunities for the technologist.
It’s important to note that the ADA does not require employers to provide accommodations that would cause “undue hardship” (significant difficulty or expense). However, in many cases, especially involving basic tools like captioning software, the cost and effort are minimal.
In summary, failing to provide closed captioning for a technologist with hearing loss constitutes disability discrimination, as it denies the employee a reasonable and necessary accommodation to perform their job effectively.