What does the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibit from being asked during an employment application?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers from asking whether an applicant requires accommodations during the employment application process. This provision is designed to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities. By not allowing such questions at the application stage, the ADA ensures that all candidates are evaluated based on their qualifications, skills, and experience rather than their need for accommodations, which might indicate a disability.

Asking about accommodations could lead to biases against applicants who have disabilities, potentially discouraging them from applying or impacting their chances of being hired. The focus on an applicant's ability to perform job duties, regardless of any disability or need for accommodations, reinforces a fair and equitable hiring process.

Other options, such as inquiring about the type of disability someone has, when they were diagnosed, or their medical history, would be inappropriate at any stage of the hiring process. However, the key distinction with accommodations is that it specifically pertains to adjustments that need to be made for the individual to perform their job, which can be more directly linked to their disability and may invoke discrimination concerns.