What are reasonable adjustments?

Under the Equality Act 2010 (UK), employers, universities, and the public sector are legally required to provide adjustments for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Under the Act, a disability is any physical or mental impairment that significantly and persistently affects a person's ability to perform everyday activities. This includes physical disabilities, mental health conditions, learning difficulties, and chronic illnesses. 

Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make sure workers with disabilities or physical or mental conditions are not substantially disadvantaged when doing their jobs. Broad changes that can happen:

  • Adjusting the recruitment process: To ensure a candidate has a fair opportunity to be considered for a job
  • Adapting work arrangements
  • Making physical modifications to the workplace
  • Providing specialized equipment

 The adjustment must be practical and appropriate. What qualifies as reasonable depends on factors such as the employer’s size and resources, the type of work involved, and the nature of the adjustment needed. Please remember that the employer is not obligated to implement change that would create excessive difficulty, significantly disrupt business operations, or result in disproportionate costs.

 

Below are some adjustment ideas you could ask for related to ADHD:

Workplace Adjustments

  • Quiet workspace or Noise Reduction Tools- A quitter area, noise-cancelling headphones, or permission to use white noise
  • Flexible Seating or Remote Work- Option to work from home or in a less distracting space, reserved permanent desk
  • Minimal Open Plan Office Interruptions- Clear communication about when it’s okay to interrupt, reserved quiet area

  • Clear, Structured Instructions- Written task lists, checklists, and step-by-step guidance
  • Time Management Support- Use of timers, reminders, or apps to stay on track
  • Flexible Deadlines- Allowing extra time for tasks that require deep focus
  • Chunking Work into Smaller Tasks- Breaking ample projects into manageable parts with min-deadlines.

  • Shorter, More Focused Meetings- Reducing unnecessary meetings and ensuring clear action points
  • Allowing Movement- Option to stand, fidget, or take short breaks to maintain focus
  • Follow Ups in Writing- Providing meeting summaries, action points, or notes.
  • Extra Processing Time for Responses- Allowing extra time to think before answering in meetings.

University Adjustments

  • Recorded Lectures- To allow for re-watching when focus drifts.
  • Extended Deadlines & Exam Time- To help with executive functioning challenges
  • Clear Assignment Instructions- Written guidance with examples.
  • Quiet Study Spaces- Designated low-distraction areas.

  • Extra Time on Exams- To allow for slower processing and refocusing
  • Alternative Assessment Methods- Options like oral exams or coursework instead of written tests.

  • Help with Planning & Prioritization- Support from study mentors or ADHD coaches
  • Use of Assistive Tech- Speech-to-text software, reminders, and note-taking apps.
  • Flexible Attendance Polices- Understanding that ADHD can impact punctuality