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Disabilities and reasonable accommodations — South Carolina

Federal law prohibits employment discrimination against a qualified individual with a disability and requires the employer to make reasonable accommodations to enable an employee or applicant is able to perform the essential functions of his or her position. The purpose of the law(s) is to create a level playing field for “disabled” employees or applicants and emphasize what an individual can do, as opposed to his or her limitations. The federal prohibitions against disability discrimination in employment are contained in four separate laws:

  1. the Rehabilitation Act
  1. the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA)
  1. the Genetic Nondiscrimination Act (GINA)
  1. the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).

Although the substantive prohibitions essentially are the same, the scope and enforcement mechanisms of the statutes differ. State law may also require employers to make reasonable accommodations. For example, South Carolina requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for medical needs arising from pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical conditions (including lactation).

Prohibitions found in the...


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