Undue burden

An undue burden is a requirement of Title II or Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that would cause a significant difficulty or expense if carried out. This means that a state or local government or its agencies, or a business or nonprofit organization covered by the ADA, does not have to provide an auxiliary aid or service, or a modification, if providing it would cause a significant administrative or financial difficulty. Undue burden is similar to undue hardship under Title I (employment).

When deciding whether something is an undue burden, you have to look at several factors. These factors include the overall cost involved in light of the entire organization and any parent organization, and the operation and nature of the organization. If an auxiliary aid or service is an undue burden, the organization must look for an effective alternative. For example, if a small, private museum cannot afford to provide a sign language interpreter for a museum tour on short notice, a written copy of the tour guide’s script might be an alternative.


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  • Introduction to the Service Animal Toolkit
    07/27/2022- Do customers bring dogs into your business claiming they are service animals, emotional support animals, comfort dogs, or therapy dogs? Join Chris Sweet, technical assistant for the Northeast ADA Cent...
  • Northeast ADA Center Year in Review 2020
    01/28/2021- While COVID-19 was certainly one of the largest stories of 2020, other ADA items of note happened as well. Join the technical assistance team of the Northeast ADA Center as they review the year 2020....
  • ADA 101.2 Overview of Title I and Employment
    04/26/2021- This webinar is the third in the Northeast ADA's ADA 101 series. Intended for those new to the Americans with Disabilities Act or for those wanting a refresher, this webinar will focus on the employme...
  • ADA 101.1 Defining Disability
    03/26/2021- This presentation builds on the introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) given in the webinar ADA 101. Intended for those new to the ADA or for those wanting a refresher, this webinar...

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Service animals and businesses – two tips
Social media banner with a background showing three people and a service dog standing on a path in front of shrubbery. One person is using a walker. The text says: Service animals and businesses. Two tips for when a service animal enters your business… Don’t distract a service animal; they’re working. Remember that the handler is your customer, not the animal.
Service animals and businesses - why welcome them?
Social media banner with a background showing the back of a motorized wheelchair with a service dog walking beside it. The text says: Service animals and businesses. Why make the effort to welcome service animals in your business? 61 million people in the US have a disability. Welcoming service animals and their handlers expands your customer base.
Service animals and businesses - what can be asked?
Social media banner with a background showing a large service dog standing by its seated handler. The text says: Service animals and businesses. What can a business ask about a service animal? Is this animal needed because of a disability? What task has this animal been trained to perform?
Service animals and businesses - what kinds of animals?
Social media banner with a background showing an image of a service dog handler sitting at a desk and petting a dog. The text says: Service animals and businesses. What kinds of animals can be service animals under the ADA? Only dogs—or in some cases, miniature horses—can be service animals.
Small business - What is an accommodation under the ADA?
Social media banner with a background image of an open work environment with several people working at computers; most are seated and one is standing. The text says: What is an accommodation under the ADA? Any change in the work environment, or in how things are usually done, to help a person with a disability apply for a job, perform the duties of a job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment.