Slow playing ADA accommodation can now be an ADA violation

June 2025 employment law letter

Authors:

Michael P. Maslanka, UNT-Dallas College of Law

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (the federal court of appeals over Texas) recently told employers that foot dragging in providing an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can run afoul of the Act. Bet your bottom dollar that employees’ lawyers in the Lone Star State will now hop on board this new claim. Don’t get left at the station!

Veteran needs service dog at work

Alisha Strife sustained serious injuries to her shoulder, leg, and brain while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition, she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

After her military service, Strife embarked on a career in education, joining the Aldine Independent School District (AISD). She applied for and received a certified service dog to aid in her balance and gait and in mitigating acute PTSD symptoms. It was when she wanted to bring her dog to work that she ended up fighting another war, this time a bureaucratic one with the AISD.

Timeline of events

Always wise to put facts into a timeline. Here are the facts for Strife’s case in 2022:

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