What Makes an Adjustment Reasonable?

“Reasonable adjustment” is one of those phrases that sounds helpful, fair, even obvious, until you actually need one.

Then you find out what the word “reasonable” really means. It means optional, if you’re inconvenient. It means debatable, if they don’t like your tone. It means non-existent, if you’re not “compliant enough.”

But here’s the truth: reasonable adjustments aren’t favours. They are rights.

Let’s Break It Down

Under the Equality Act 2010, employers, service providers, and public bodies have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. That includes:

• Changing the way things are done (like offering written communication instead of phone calls)
• Changing the physical environment (like step-free access)
• Providing extra support or aids (like assistive tech, quiet spaces, or extra time)

The goal is simple: to remove disadvantage and make sure disabled people can participate equally.

So Why Does It So Often Go Wrong?

Because the word “reasonable” gets weaponised.

Organisations claim they can’t afford it. That it’s “not necessary.” That it’s “not how we do things here.”
They make your needs sound like your fault.

Sometimes it’s ignorance. Sometimes it’s systemic ableism. Often, it’s both.

Reasonable for Whom?

They rarely ask what’s reasonable for you. They ask what’s convenient for them.

And if you question it? If you advocate for yourself? If you say, “actually, this isn’t working for me”?
You’re labelled as aggressive, disruptive, difficult.

Neurodivergent people in particular get shut down for having needs that aren’t neatly packaged.
Too much nuance, too much emotion, too many emails. Not enough “thank you for helping me in whatever way you choose to define help.”

Let’s Be Clear

Adjustments are not about special treatment. They’re about access.

Refusing to make them isn’t just unfair, it’s often unlawful.

And if someone says your request isn’t reasonable? Ask them to explain, in writing, using evidence.
Because if they can’t do that, then what they’re really saying is, “your inclusion just isn’t convenient for us.”

And that’s not reasonable at all.