Technology as a Reasonable Accommodation Things to Consider ADA Trainer Network Module 7b...

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Technology as a Reasonable Accommodation

Things to Consider

ADA Trainer Network

Module 7b

Trainer’s Name

Trainer’s TitlePhone

Email/Website Address

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DisclaimerInformation, materials, and/or technical assistance are intended solely as informal guidance, and are neither a determination of your legal rights or responsibilities under the ADA, nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under the ADA. The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center is authorized by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to provide information, materials, and technical assistance to individuals and entities that are covered by the ADA. The contents of this document were developed under a grant from the Department of Education, NIDRR grant number H133 A110020. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

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The big picture

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Technology-related Accommodation

• Consider how the AT will fit into the technology environment for the whole organization

• Important factors to consider: – Individual needs– Business needs– Availability of technology vendor– Current technology infrastructure

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Technology as a Reasonable Accommodation

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What is an Accommodation?

According to the EEOC (2002)…

• “any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables an individual with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities”

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Assistive Technology:Accommodations for employees with disabilities

0% 20% 40% 60%

Braille reader

Screen reader

Large screen

Voice recognition

Computer input

Screen magnifier

Workstation alteration

– Bruyere, Erickson, Schramm, 2003

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Employers Believe Accessible Technology Improves Compliance, Satisfaction, and Productivity Most

49%

48%

47%

38%

35%

33%

32%

32%

29%

24%

Compliance with ADA and other laws

I mproving employee satisfaction

I mproving productivity

I mproving diversity in theworkplace

I mproving workplace collaboration

Raising customer or clientsatisfaction

Reducing workers’ comp claims

Retention of existing employees

Recruiting new employees

Reducing absenteeism – Microsoft, 2008

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Results from a Job Accommodation Network Survey (2011)

• 56% of accommodations were made for no cost – 38% were a one-time cost– 4% required an on-going, annual cost

• Of those employers who reported a cost, one-time expenditures averaged $500

• 76% stated accommodations were either very effective or extremely effective

JAN: Direct Benefits of Accommodation

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JAN: Indirect Benefits of Accommodation68%

63%

59%

47%

45%

39%

32%

18%

reported improved interactions withco-workers

increased overall company morale

increased overall companyproductivity

improved interactions withcustomers

increased workplace safety

increased overall companyattendance

increased profitability

increased customer base

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Mid-Atlantic ADA CenterTransCen, Inc.

401 North Washington Street, Suite 450Rockville, MD 20850

Toll-Free: 800.949.4232 (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)

Telephone 301-217-0124Fax 301-251-3762TTY 301-217-0124Email ADAinfo@transcen.orgWeb www.ADAinfo.org

The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the Department of Education, NIDRR grant number H133 A110020. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.