Advocating for Job Site Accommodations

Advocating for Jobsite Accommodations

Presented by:

Justin Blumhorst

Chief Operating Officer

Capabilities, Inc.

4/29/2015 www.capabilitiesinc.biz 1

Overview of Session• What are Reasonable Accommodations?

• Accommodations for Specific Disabilities

• General Employer Concerns with Accommodations

• What to Say About Accommodations in Interviews

• Myths Employers Have About Disabilities

What Are Reasonable Accommodations?• Adjustments or modifications which enable people with

disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job efficientlyand productively.

• Vary depending upon the nature of the job and the needs of the individual applicant or employee.

• Not all people with disabilities (or even all people with the same disability) will require the same accommodation or any accommodation.

Kinds of Reasonable Accommodations• Job Restructuring

• Modifying Work Schedules

• Acquiring or Modifying Equipment or Devices

• Adjusting or Modifying Tests and Training Materials

• Providing Assistive Technology or Devices

• Reassigning an Employee with a Disability to a Vacant Position

Quick Note Regarding Accommodations for Work• Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities may help pay for

Opportunities for Ohioanswith Disabilities

• Has to be for work purposes

• If employer does pay for them, they may be eligible for tax

credit

Job Restructuring• altering when and/or how an

essential function of a job is performed

• reallocating marginal job functions that an employee is unable to perform because of a disability

Modifying Work Schedules• allow an employee with a

disability to attend to matters related to treating the disability such as medical appointments or medication schedules

• Usually done through break or unpaid time

Acquiring or Modifying Equipment or Devices• Example: adjusting a desk

height to accommodate an employee who uses a wheelchair

• Will go over in more detail for different types of disabilities

Adjusting or Modifying Tests and Training Materials

• providing materials in alternate formats, such as:• Braille

• CD

• large print

• video

Providing Assistive Technology or Devices

• Examples• computer screen readers

• specific telephone that is compatible with an employee's hearing aid

• Will go into more detail later for different types of disabilities

Reassigning an Employee With a Disability to a Vacant Position• Reassignment for which he or she is qualified

• No longer able to perform the essential functions of the current job with or without reasonable accommodations

• This accommodation is available only for incumbent workers

Accommodations for Specific Disabilities• Visual

• Hearing

• Physical

• Developmental

Accommodations for Visual Disabilities

• Screen Readers• JAWS

• Window Eyes

• Screen Magnifiers• MAGIC

• ZoomText

• Currency Identifier Apps• IDEAL Currency Identifier

(Android)

• LookTel Money Reader (iOS)• Also Has Trainable version for

other uses

• Place Signage at Eye Level

• Put high contrast labels on everything

• Reduce Glare• The ideal situation is for light to be distributed on the visual task

in equal amounts from all angles with none of it reflected back toward the face.

• Reduce glare from windows and lights, as much as possible (using blinds, shades, curtains, etc.)

• Cover shiny tabletops with light-absorbing materials. Also, avoid shiny surfaces on pages, desks, and blackboards.

• Reduce Glare• Yellow filters or acetate can be placed over work (these can

be specially ordered or you can use yellow tinted portfolio covers and are available at office supply stores).

• When choosing paper, avoid a glossy finish as it can lessen legibility and can produce glare.

• Magnifying Glasses

• Portable Magnifiers• Magnifier App for Android

• Photocopier Enlargement

• Large Print (18 pt. recommended)

• Forms on Tape

• High Contrast Keyboard

• Large Print Keyboard

• Proper Lighting

• Service Animal

• Mobility and Orientation Trainng

Accommodations for Hearing Disabilities

• Sign Language Interpreter

• CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation)

• Write Notes Back and Forth• Pen and Paper

• Tablet

• Computers

• Mobile Devices

• Dry Erase

• Chalk Board

• Email

• Text

• For iOS- Sorensen Buzzcards

• Different Types of Alerts• Flashing Devices

• Strobe Lights

• Vibrating Devices

• Assistive Listening Systems• Broadcasting System

• Speaker talks into microphone

• Helps Individuals Hear Better

• Use through:• Headphones

• Directly Through Hearing Aids

• Phones Compatible with Hearing Aids• TruLink for Mobile Devices

• Phone calls directly sent to hearing aids

• Adjust hearing aids with app

• Save adjustments per location

• Encourage Staff to Learn Basic Sign Language

• Install Mirrors to Help Alert About Nearby Staff

• Put Sign Near Person Saying Direct Communication Needed (only if person is ok with this)

Accommodations for Physical Disabilities

4/29/2015 29

• Ergonomic Setup• Intended to provide optimum comfort

• Avoids stress or injury

4/29/2015 30

4/29/2015 31

4/29/2015 32

4/29/2015 33

4/29/2015 34

4/29/2015 35

4/29/2015 36

4/29/2015 37

4/29/2015 38

4/29/2015 39

4/29/2015 40

• Large Keys Keyboard

• 1 Handed Keyboard• FGHJ Method

• Mice• Track ball

• Keyboard Shortcuts

• Foot mouse

• Touchpads

• Joystick

4/29/2015 41

4/29/2015 42

4/29/2015 43

• Dragon Naturally Speaking• Control computer by voice

• Type by speaking

• Train to your voice

• Create custom commands

4/29/2015 44

4/29/2015 45

• Orally Controlled Mouse• Head Pointer

4/29/2015 46

• Orally Controlled Mouse• Blow to Move

4/29/2015 47

• Orally Controlled Mouse• Scroll with Mouth

4/29/2015 48

• Orally Controlled Mouse• Eye Tracking Mouse

• Tobii PC Eye Go

• Samsung

4/29/2015 49

Accommodations for Developmental Disabilities• Reading

• Provide Pictures (Task Cards)

• Use Line Guide

• WYNN from Freedom Scientific

Accommodations for Developmental Disabilities• Writing

• Provide Templates or Forms to Prompt Information

• Allow Verbal Responses Rather than Written

• Use Spell Checker

• WYNN from Freedom Scientific

Accommodations for Developmental Disabilities

• Memory• Voice Activated Recorder

• Record Verbal Instructions

• Timer

• Alarms

• Task Cards

• Checklists

• LastPass

• Performing Calculations• Calculator

• Use Counter or Ticker

• Talking Tape Measure

• Liquid Level Indicator

• Marking Measuring Cup with “Fill to Hear” Line

General Employer Concerns About AccommodationsAre there specific policies and procedures employers must follow when trying to accommodate an employee with a disability?

• no specific policies or procedures that employers must follow

• employers may want to develop formal policies and procedures

• If staff have formal policies and procedures to refer to, they are more likely to handle accommodation requests properly and consistently.

General Employer Concerns About AccommodationsAre there specific policies and procedures employers must follow when trying to accommodate an employee with a disability?

• formal policy that is shared with employees helps employees know what to expect if they request an accommodation

• helps employees understand that other employees might be requesting and receiving accommodations.

• formal procedures help employers document their efforts to comply with the ADA.

General Employer Concerns About AccommodationsWhere can employers get sample accommodation policies and procedures?

• JAN and the EEOC have sample accommodation policies and procedures on their Websites:

• Sample policies at http://askjan.org/links/adapolicies.html

• Five Practical Tips For Providing And Maintaining Effective Job Accommodations at http://askjan.org/media/FivePracticalTips.doc

General Employer Concerns About AccommodationsWhere can employers get sample accommodation policies and procedures?

• Establishing Procedures to Facilitate the Provision of Reasonable Accommodation at http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation_procedures.html

• EEOC's Internal Accommodation Procedures at http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/internal/reasonable_accommodation.cfm

General Employer Concerns About AccommodationsWhat medical information can employers ask for when an employee requests accommodation?

• Under the ADA, employers must limit the scope of a medical inquiry in response to an accommodation request.

• When the disability or need for accommodation is not obvious, an employer may require that the employee provide medical documentation: • to establish that the employee has

an ADA disability

• to show that the employee needs the requested accommodation

• to help determine effective accommodation options.

• Although the ADA limits the scope of medical requests, it does not include specific forms for requesting medical information.

• For employers who want to develop a form, JAN provides a sample format that employers can use as a guide. The form is located at http://askjan.org/media/medical.htm.

General Employer Concerns About AccommodationsWill I have to pay for accommodations?

• OOD may pay for accommodations:• That help someone keep their

current job

• That help someone secure a job

• Have to have an open case with OOD

What to Say About Accommodations in Interviews• During a job interview you do not have to tell the employer that

you have a disability. • If it is an visible disability, they will know

• During the interview the employer is not allowed to ask you if you have a disability.

• Interviewer may ask you how you would perform a specific job task with or without an accommodation.

What to Say About Accommodations in Interviews• If you choose to ask for a job accommodation or to talk about

your disability during the interview be prepared to say how the accommodation would allow you to do the job.

• You may choose to wait to request an accommodation until the job has been offered.

• You may not discover what, if any, accommodation you would need until after you have tried the job.

• It’s okay to inform your employer of your need then.

Myths Employers Have About Accommodations• Myth: Persons with

Disabilities can’t keep up with other workers.

• It has been conclusively shown that, on average, people with a disability are more loyal, dependable, and productive than their non-disabled colleagues - and that they work more safely.

• 90% of people with disabilities rated average or better on job performance.

Busted

Myths Employers Have About Accommodations• Myth: A person with a

disability is likely to miss a lot of work.

• 86% of people with disabilities rated average or better on attendance.

Busted

Myths Employers Have About Accommodations• Myth: A person with a

disability will have more accidents on the job.

• 98% of people with a disability rate average or better in work safety.

Busted

Questions?• Justin Blumhorst

• Phone• 419.778.7400

• Email• justin.blumhorst@capabilitiesinc.bi

• Linked In• https://www.linkedin.com/profile/vi

ew?id=47741680

• Facebook• www.facebook.com/jblumho

• Twitter• www.twitter.com/jblumho

Service Area

Advocating for Job Site Accommodations

Government & Nonprofit

INFORMATION SESSION · • Resume Preparation • Job Interview Tips • Gradcast – Connects employers with recent grads. Accommodations. Delaware Technical and Community College

HOPWA Getting to work · • Resume Development • Interviewing Skills • Ongoing Career Development • Job Accommodations • Benefits Planning Effective Employment Services:

What does research tell us about job accommodations for persons with psychiatric disabilities?

Advocating For Others Webinar

“Advocating for Educational Rights”

Comprehensive Accommodations List...Accommodations List Accommodations in Virginia. Page 2 of 15 ack to Homepage Accommodations List $200 / night & above Hotel Rate Transfer Parking

Advocating Od RST1

Advocating for Lean Practices

Advocating clark

Accessibility and Accommodations Manual - ELPA21 and Accommodations... · This Accessibility and Accommodations Manual was ... writing, speaking, and listening, ... accommodation

Advocating For Your Care

Animals as Accommodations in the Job Corps … · Web viewAnimals as accommodations in the job Corps program June 2014 Animals as accommodations in the job Corps program June 2014

Advocating the scientific self

Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations · PDF fileUsability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines 1 INTRODUCTION

Advocating for Student Success

Job Accommodations and AT Support Workers With … Accommodations and … · Job Accommodations and AT Support Workers with Autoimmune Diseases – by AbleData Published: 08/16/2016

Advocating for German

ACCOMMODATIONS TRAINING 2014-15. Agenda: Policy Accessibility features vs. Accommodations Accessibility Features Personal Needs Profile form Accommodations

Advocating for Military Children

Advocating for change