Rehabilitation
Research and Training Center onAging with a Disability
Spinal Cord Injury Case Study
Individuals with spinal cord injury often require reasonable accommodation in order to acquire a job. The following case illustrates changing needs for accommodation as an individual ages.
FP had an incomplete spinal cord injury (C-6) at age 20. He feels that he has experienced some functional decline because of an increasing pain from tendonitis since age 45. He is now 50 and has had to change some accommodations in the last 3 years in order to effectively perform his job. FP works for a government agency and his job requires large amounts of paperwork and travel both from one office to another within the office complex and to other offices in the state.
When he first began working, most of the paperwork required was completed by filling out forms and was done by hand or on a typewriter. He accomplished this with bilateral hand orthoses and typing sticks. As he moved up in the company, the demand increased for more text based communication. FP began using a computer and trackball to complete his written work. The company upgrade in technology allowed FP to use the same standard equipment as other employees.
Promotion to management required FP to travel on a consistent basis to meetings more than 80 miles from his home office. This was considered to be a one day trip for most of the management team. As the frequency of these trips increased, the difficulty for FP also increased. His employer accommodated him by allowing him to stay in a local hotel the night before the meeting to have the necessary prep time to get ready in the morning. His employer also bought him a cellular phone so that FP can call for help from his vehicle in emergencies.
FP's employer's office is in a very large building. As FP aged, the tendinitis in his left shoulder increased to the point that he felt he couldn't propel his manual chair from the parking lot and within the building. He accommodated himself for this problem by buying a power wheelchair in order to be able to continue to work full time in his management position.
FP now feels that he will be able to maintain his job and his level of productivity until at least an early retirement age of 60.
Rehabilitation
Research and Training Center on Aging with a Disability
Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
7601 E. Imperial Hwy, Building 800-W
Downey, California 90242; (voice) 562-401-7402; (fax) 562-401-7011
webmaster: chuck.sanders@agingwithdisability.org
last updated 7/14/2008
