Aging with Spinal Cord Injury

Using Job Accommodation to Keep You on Your Job

Have you experienced changes in your function since the onset of your disability?

Are certain job tasks harder to perform than they used to be?

Is it getting harder to propel your manual wheelchair?

Does pain or fatigue interfere with activities at work?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be one of a growing number of people with spinal cord injury who are experiencing functional changes that can impact work. Job accommodations, however, may compensate for functional changes and help you to keep working.

What You Should Know

Accommodation Examples

Job accommodations fall into three broad categories: job modification, changes to the work environment and assistive technology (see sidebar). Accommodations are frequently inexpensive.

You have a right to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if your employer has 15 or more employees. It is your responsibility to ask for an accommodation. Be as informed as possible when you approach your employer. It helps if you can describe your problem, identify possible solutions and/or know what resources are available.

Many people ignore problems until its too late and employment is affected. Dont wait, make your needs known!

Job Modification
* Exchanging job tasks with co-workers
* Flexible work hours
* Omitting nonessential tasks

Environmental Changes
* Ramps
* Larger stalls and grab bars in restrooms
* Automatic door openers
* Wider doors and accessible aisleways

Assistive Technology
* Speaker phones or head sets
* Adjustable height work surfaces
* Leg bag emptiers
* Wrist or arm supports
* Computer access alternatives
(e.g., software for voice or Morse code)

Where Can I Get Help?

Listed below are a variety of resources that may help you. In addition, your employer may have an ADA or disabilities coordinator who can help you with the accommodation process.

ABLEDATA
Macro International
8455 Colesville Road, Suite 935
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(800) 227-0216
www.ABLEDATA.com
Provides information on assistive technology from a database of over 23,000 product listings. Information is free by telephone or by searching their web site. There is a small fee for mailed information.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080
(800) JAN-PCEH
A free information and referral service to solve work related problems. Can suggest devices and/or job or building modifications based on functional limitations, abilities and job tasks.

Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTAC)
(800) 949-4232 (Your call will be routed to the DBTAC in your region)
There are ten regional DBTAC offices that provide free ADA information and copies of ADA documents. They also can provide informal guidance in understanding the law.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Provide vocational services to help individuals get or keep their jobs. Services can include evaluations to identify appropriate accommodations and/or funding for assistive technology or modifications needed. Find the local office in your state by looking in the telephone book for the State/Government listings or "Disability Services" under the "Community Services" heading.

Technology Act Programs
These programs offer information and referral for evaluation and equipment recommendations in your state as well as assistance with identifying funding or equipment lending sources. Call (703) 524-6686, extension 313, to identify the telephone number of your states Tech Act program or search the RESNA web site at www.resna.org.

The National SCI Association
8300 Colesville Road, Suite 551
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Helpline: (800) 962-9629
www.spinalcord.org
This is a national organization that has a network of chapters to help members with counseling, disability rights and general advocacy. They maintain an extensive library and publish a quarterly magazine.

For additional information on accommodations, contact Project Threshold at pthreshold@aol.com

Mission Style Building at Rancho Los Amigos 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 11/14/2006