ERGONOMIC PRINCIPALS AND
ACCOMMODATING EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES
Presenter(s)
Sharon
Terrell-Lindsay
Department
of Defense
Computer/Electronic
Accommodations Programs (CAP)
5111
Leesburg Pike Suite 810
Day
Phone: 703-681-8811 ext. 6019
Fax: 703-681-9075
Email:
Sharon.terrell-lindsay@tma.osd.mil
Presenter
#2
Jerome
Lyons
Department
of Defense
Computer/Electronic
Accommodations Programs (CAP)
5111
Leesburg Pike Suite 810
Day
Phone: 703-681-8811
Fax: 703-681-9075
Jerome.lyons.ctr@tma.osd.mil
Changes
in technology and the information environment present new challenges and
opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The Computer/Electronic
Accommodations
Program (CAP) works to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access
to the information environment and opportunities in the Department of Defense
and throughout the Federal government. While CAP accommodates people with
disabling conditions such as repetitive
stress injuries, we prefer to take a proactive approach to these issues by
educating our customers on prevention of the repetitive stress injuries that
can result from workstations that lack proper ergonomic configuration. As
work related injuries continue to disable employees and decrease productivity,
CAP’s Healthy Work Practices Program (HWPP) encourages preventative measures
for a healthy workplace.
By
focusing on this debilitating injury, the timeliness of this training will
assist Federal managers and supervisors while dealing with growing ergonomic
trends. The benefits of effective usage of ergonomic practices will assist in
maintaining high levels of productivity, avoiding painful and costly employee
injuries, and increasing worker satisfaction. As a result of designing the job around
the person, employees will have a decreased risk of injury and an improved
perception of their “employee-centered” role at work.
The
Department of Defense established CAP in 1990 to eliminate employment barriers
for
people with visual, hearing, dexterity and cognitive disabilities. CAP is the
Federal government’s centrally funded accommodations program, providing
assistive technology solutions at no cost to the requesting agency. Much of
CAP’s success lies in the ability to provide reasonable accommodations to
employees quickly and easily, which can increase employment and retention which
ensures an accessible future for people with disabilities.[3ased on CAPs
success, on Oct [Formatted; Font: Times 30. 2000, the program was granted
additional funding and authorization to provide accommodations and services to
all federal agencies. Currently CAP has 63 Partner agencies and has provided
46,t)0() accommodations since it’s inception in 1990.
Participant’s
will learn about CAP’s HWPP which focuses on ergonomics and encourages recruitment,
placement and retention of preventative measures for work-related
musculoskeletal disorders such as tendonitis, as epicondylitis, carpal tunnel
syndrome, and back injuries resulting from a discrepancy between ergonomic
disabilities. The physical capacity of workers and the demands of the job.
These ergonomic related injuries continue to disable employees and decrease
productivity. In an effort to combat this problem CAP offers practical
solutions and accommodation services via education workshops, information
dissemination, and accommodations for employees with dexterity disabilities.
CAP’s
proactive approach to disability management includes support of Telework participants,
and Workers’ compensation claimants which allows agencies to retain or bring
back to work
experienced people with disabilities by providing assistive technology and
services to ensure
productivity. This presentation will also focus on CAP’s accommodation process
and employment initiatives that encourage the recruitment, placement and
retention of individuals with disabilities, as well as those who develop work
related ergonomic disabilities.
The
CAP program has provided over 950 accommodations for 217 Teleworkers with disabilities
throughout the government. In Fiscal Year 2005, CAP provided over 169
accommodations to 54 Teleworkers with disabilities at 25 different departments
and agencies in 20 states and the
accommodations. Utilizing case reviews and a needs assessment process, the
employees find unique methods of working in a revised, safer, and more
productive environment, CAP provided these employees with 3 13 accommodations
in FY05 to ensure their continuation as active members of the workforce. The
CAP partnership offers employees and supervisors assistance in addressing this
crowing health concern.
To
assist individuals in preventative measures, CAP provides:
* Basic ergonomic training
* Presentations
* Ergonomic evaluations and
* The Workplace Ergonomics Reference Guide:
The
HWPP’s commitment is to promote prevention and to combat injuries that occur
within the workplace through the provision of assistive technology.
To
accommodate persons with dexterity disabilities CAP provides:
* alternative keyboards and pointing devices
* keyboard trays, document holders, wrist rests; and
* word prediction software and speech recognition software.
For
DoD Workers’ Compensation claimants with a Department of Labor Acceptance Letter
for
neck, back, or other severe disabilities, CAP provides:
* ergonomic chairs
To
assist a Telework participant who has a disability, Teleworks’ as a form of
reasonable
accommodation, and an agreement with their agency, CAP provides:
* computer equipment including a personal computer, printer and/or fax machine.
In
addition to learning about the HWPP, participants will learn how CAP works with
Federal agencies to help ensure inclusion and productivity for employees with
disabilities. CAP is providing assistance to agencies by:
* purchasing assistive technology and services
* conducting needs assessments to identify appropriate assistive technology
* assisting in technology integration
* providing
training on how to use assistive technology
*
advising agencies about creating accessible electronic environments
*
assisting in accommodating work-related injuries, supports workers’
compensation claimants and telework participants
*
assist in the recruitment, placement, promotion, and retention of people with
disabilities and Wounded Service Members
*
conducting presentations about CAP services and other accessibility issues
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