Auxiliary aids

As well as a general duty to make reasonable adjustments, the EA 10 refers specifically to “auxiliary aids”. Under section 20(5), EA 10, where a person would be at a substantial disadvantage without an auxiliary aid (such as adapted telephone or computer equipment, or text to speech software), or auxiliary services (such as a sign language interpreter) the employer must take all reasonable steps to provide that auxiliary aid.

The auxiliary aid may, for example, make it easier for the disabled person to participate in an interview or selection process. The employer must consider whether the request is reasonable and if so, must provide the aid. This should be done in consultation with the disabled person, so that the aid meets their individual needs.

Again the only relevant question is whether providing the aid is reasonable.