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English version

The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has a program called the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) to aid employees with disabilities. 

The purpose of the ERAF is to encourage employment of people with disabilities by reducing any perceived or real financial barriers. 

The ERAF creates a central fund where small to mid-sized Minnesota employers can request reimbursement for expenses related to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants and employees with disabilities. 

Qualifying accommodations could include sign language interpreters, captioning, lighting and alarms, low vision aids and devices, and more.

In addition to the reimbursements, the ERAF Coordinator is available for technical assistance and consultation at no cost to employers. They available for the following activities:

1. Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act as it relates to hiring and retaining individuals with disabilities and implementing reasonable accommodations.
2. Consulting on how to locate, purchase, and implement reasonable accommodations that meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.
3. Connecting employers to disability-related trainings and resources, including DEED-specific programs and initiatives.
4. Answering any questions about the ERAF.

The ERAF program  is a two-year pilot program from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025. This program has a budget of $4,000,000.

For questions, comments, assistance with the application, or requests for technical assistance/training, please contact the ERAF program. Email Eraf.deed@state.mn.us or call 651-539-2390 or 1-833-391-8050.

More information including a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is also available through the website.