Reasonable Accommodation Kendra Duckworth, M.S. Psychiatric/Cognitive Team Lead Consultant Eddie Whidden, M.A. Motor Team Senior Consultant A service of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy Job Accommodation Network
Jan 20, 2016
Reasonable Accommodation Kendra Duckworth, M.S.Psychiatric/Cognitive Team
Lead ConsultantEddie Whidden, M.A.
Motor TeamSenior Consultant
A service of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy
Job Accommodation Network
Reasonable Accommodation
Established for 25 Years Funded by the Office of Disability Employment
Policy Based in Morgantown, WV Serve a national audience Provide electronic and telephone consultation,
expert training, and comprehensive
accommodation and compliance information
JAN Overview
Reasonable Accommodation
Employers Individuals and personal representatives
(lawyers, friends, family members) Rehabilitation and medical professionals Those seeking self-employment Others
JAN Overview
Reasonable Accommodation
JAN Overview
Reasonable Accommodation
Accommodation and ADA Information Technical Assistance Documents Process and Guidance Benefit/Cost Research Policy Development
JAN Overview: Start with JAN
Workplace AccommodationsLow Cost, High Impact:
New Research Findings Address the Costs and Benefits of Job Accommodations for
People with Disabilities
Benefits
Essential Findings
Are accommodations costly?
Almost half (46%) were made at no cost.
Of the 45% who experienced a one-time cost to make an accommodation, the typical cost of accommodating an employee was $500.
Essential Findings
Are accommodations effective?
Employers were asked to rank the effectiveness of the accommodation on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being extremely effective.
Of those responding, 75% reported the accommodations were either very effective or extremely effective.
Essential Findings
Employers experience both direct and indirect benefits by making
accommodations.
Direct Benefits: 10% promoted an employee, 18% hired a qualified person, and 86% retained a valued employee.
Direct Benefits after Accommodation
Retained a valued employee 86%
Increased the employee’s productivity 71%
Eliminated costs of training a new employee 56%
Increased the employee’s attendance 49%
Increased diversity of the company 42%
Saved workers’ compensation/other insurance costs 39%
Hired a qualified person with a disability 18%
Promoted an employee 10%
Indirect Benefits after Accommodation
Improved interactions with co-workers 67%
Increased overall company morale 58%
Increased overall company productivity 56%
Improved interactions with customers 43%
Increased workplace safety 41%
Increased overall company attendance 34%
Increased profitability 32%
Increased customer base 16%
Accommodation Process
Questions to Consider
Does your organization have written accommodation policies?
Does you organization have a formal yet flexible accommodation process?
Does your organization provide training to supervisors?
4. Implement Accommodation
Accommodation Process
2. Explore Accommodation Ideas
5. Monitor Accommodation
1. Define the Situation
3. Choose Accommodation
Accommodation Process
1. Define the Situation What are the person’s limitations? What is the person’s job? What is the person having difficulty
doing? Is this an accommodation request? Can I get medical information? Is the condition progressive?
Printing Operator: Depression
A printing operator loses his concentration during big jobs and has trouble remembering processes.
How do we define the situation?
Solutions Laminate a copy of daily
job tasks Use an erasable marker
to mark off completed items
Use a watch with an alarm set for every hour as a reminder to check on other job responsibilities
Accommodation Process
2. Explore Accommodation Ideas Does the workplace need modified? Does the job need modified? Does a policy need modified? Does a piece of equipment need
modified or purchased? Does a service need purchased? Is reassignment appropriate?
Office Worker: Veteran with PTSD
An office worker was easily startled when approached unsuspectingly.
How do we explore accommodation ideas?
Solutions
Monitor Mirror Cube-a-Door
Accommodation Process
3. Choose Accommodations What is the employee’s preference? What is reasonable for the business? Does the accommodation meet the
person’s limitations? Is the accommodation an undue
hardship or direct threat?
Computer Programmer: Cervical Injury
A computer programmer had difficulty sitting for long periods.
How do we choose accommodations?
Solutions
Ergonomic Chair Supine Workstation
Accommodation Process
4. Implement the Accommodation What is the installation process? Is training necessary? Does the accommodation work? Has the accommodation been
communicated to essential personnel?
Teacher: Multiple Sclerosis
A high school teacher with MS had difficulty working with his supervisor after disclosing he had limitations in working overtime.
Solutions Determine a monthly
schedule (with weekly updates)
indicating potential overtime
needs Allow telephone calls during
work hours to doctors and others
for needed support Allow the presence of a support animal Allow the employee to take breaks as needed
Accommodation Process
5. Monitor the Accommodation Who will be responsible for monitoring
effectiveness? Is there maintenance? Are updates necessary? How does the employee communicate
changes to the accommodation? Have the employee’s limitations changed?
Project Officer: Dyslexia
A project officer with a learning disability had difficulty reading and spelling technical words.
Solutions
Screen Reading SoftwareReading Pen
Situations&
Solutions
Personal Trainer: Migraines
A personal trainer became sensitive to fluorescent light and began having migraine headaches. Her workout areas included aerobic classrooms with plate-glass windows and equipment rooms with no windows.
What are potential accommodations?
Solutions
Equipment room lighting
was replaced with full
spectrum lighting Windows were tinted to reflect the outside light
Journalist : CTS
A journalist with carpal tunnel syndrome has difficulty performing office tasks due to limitations in repetitive motion.
What are potential
accommodations?
Solutions
Forearm SupportsArticulating
Keyboard Tray
Solutions
Onscreen Keyboard
NoHandsMouse
Solutions
Writing Aids
Speech Recognition with Stenoscribe
Solutions
Access to exercise software Frequent breaks Rotate job tasks Train on posture and ergonomics
Data Entry Clerk: Sleep Apnea
A data entry clerk is falling asleep at work due to sleep apnea.
What are potential
accommodations?
Solutions
Employer purchased an over-the-
ear alarm to alert employee when
she fell asleep at her desk Employee relocated her office to
be near co-workers and activities
Questions &
Answers
Including Accommodation Strategies
Retain a valued employee Hire a qualified person Promote an employee
Resources Individual with the disability Disability specific organizations Local disability groups Departments of rehabilitation Vendors of assistive technology State technical assistance projects Disability and Business Technical Assistance
Centers JAN
Contact JAN
(800) 526-7234 (V)
(877) 781-9403 (TTY)
http://www.jan.wvu.edu
Please call,
e-mail, or
visit us on the Web!
Reasonable Accommodation
Reasonable Accommodation
Questions
Reasonable Accommodation
Thanks for attending.
JAN improves the workplace one successful accommodation at a time.
JAN improves the workplace one successful accommodation at a time.