1.   The deaf mute said the company would never discriminate against a disabled employee.

2.   It would seem logical that reassignment need only be considered in respect of positions for which the disabled employee is qualified.

3.   Subjecting applicants or employees to medical examinations is not the only means that employers have used to screen out disabled employees.

4.   As disabled employees gain greater access to the ordinary workplace, they face many of the same obstacles experienced by other members of minority groups.

5.   According to federal law, an employer must make reasonable accommodations for disabled employees who request them, so they can perform the essential functions of their jobs.

6.   But a disabled employee, Robert Barnett, challenged the system.

7.   But companies can get out of accommodating disabled employees if they can show that it would create an undue hardship on their business.

8.   But even within the same company, disabled employees are treated differently.

9.   Corporate leaders say that getting disabled employees back to work saves money in recruiting and retraining and prevents losses in productivity when hiring new employees.