• Essential functions are the fundamental tasks required to perform a job.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified and can, with or without reasonable accommodation, perform the essential functions of the job. Essential functions are defined as tasks which are fundamental to performance of the job, rather than marginal tasks, responsibilities, or duties that may customarily be performed on the job, but are not essential to the job’s central functions.

Once the essential functions for a position are identified, employers may then put in place qualification standards, selection criteria, or employment tests that are designed to determine whether an employee or applicant can perform those essential functions.

Because the determination of whether individuals with disabilities are qualified is based on whether they can perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the essential functions of a job, it is beneficial for employers to create, maintain, and use written job descriptions when making employment decisions. However, the job description will not be given greater weight than other relevant evidence in an ADA-related case.