Handout E
Accommodations
Under the ADA, there is no specific list of "acceptable" accommodations. In fact, the ADA looks to the employer to consider each request for reasonable accommodation on an individual basis. The following are some suggestions which have been helpful to other employers when considering reasonable accommodations for individuals with specific disabilities.
Accommodation suggestions for individuals
with Learning Disabilities
- Provide clear guidelines and defined expectations. These should be presented orally or in writing depending on the personšs strengths; i.e., visual processing or auditory processing.
- A sound-insulated work environment to reduce background noise for persons with auditory discrimination difficulties.
- Tape-recorded materials/messages or use of voice mail systems, instead of written communications for persons with visual processing difficulties.
- Use of e-mail and other electronic message transmission systems for persons with auditory processing difficulties.
- Allowing the use of tape recorders, spell-checkers and calculators to facilitate accurate completion of tasks.
- Allow the use of, or develop, jigs to assist individuals with perceptual difficulties.
- Provide for a consistent work space. Avoid frequently moving supplies or storage spaces.
- Provide a typist, reader or Dictaphone for persons with reading or writing difficulties.
- Make sure that the work environment is physically accessible. Make allowances for increased space to maneuver a walker, mobility cart, or wheelchair.
- Evaluate, modify, or install elevators, ramps, curb cuts and hand railings where needed.
- Allow for the use of a personal care assistant while on the job.
- Review and ensure that all social and recreational opportunities are accessible.
- Use carts to push material instead of carrying.
- Change the height, raise/lower, to enhance access to materials, work stations, and equipment.
- Provide notetakers for meetings.
Accommodation suggestions for individuals
who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
- Make sure you have the person's attention before speaking. Utilize face to face communication, maintaining good eye contact. Enhance communication with mime, pantomime and gestures.
- Reduce or eliminate background and hazardous noise.
- Rephrase thoughts rather than repeat them. This allows for cues from context and lip movements.
- Provide adequate non-glare lighting in the environment.
- Use Open, Closed or Real Time Captions which allow an individual to read discussions, presentations on a screen or monitor.
- Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD) allows phone communication to another TDD or through a relay service
- Vibration paging devices with text output.
- Sign Language Interpreter services as needed.
- Visual alerting systems for fire alarms, bells or the telephone.
- Use of hearing aid compatible telephone equipment.
- FM or infrared listening systems.
- Use e-mail or faxes to convey instructions or communications.
- Provide close seating with clear view for events, meetings and presentations.
- Use a carousel work station to assist with limited range of motion.
- Utilize word processing instead of manual writing. Provide for voice input of entries if needed.
- Tape record notes or presentations.
- Use notetakers or scribes when needed.
- Adapt handles to facilitate grip.
- Use touch switches to activate equipment.
- Provide hands-free speaker phones or telephone headsets.
- Adapt or provide equipment for one-handed operation.
- Replace manual tools with electric ones.
- Allow for extra time - not overtime.
- Modify work schedule to accommodate rests for fatigue and strain. Consider job sharing, if feasible.
Accommodation suggestions for individuals
with Vision Disabilities
- Consider equipment and accommodations specific to the person, i.e.; large print text display/magnifiers, voice synthesized scanners, or Braille producing/duplicating machines.
- Ensure adequate and appropriate lighting.
- Utilize large print formats for written materials. Use dark, clear fonts along with high contrast definition, generally black on white.
- Utilize audio tapes, voice mail for instructions.
- Ensure that alerting/warning systems utilize effective audio production.
- Allow for the use of a guide dog. Develop training to teach co-workers about guide dogs and their function. Develop accessible space for a guide dog.
- Use raised lettering or Braille to mark materials and equipment.
- Use auditory signage or tactile maps with corresponding pathway markings.
- Keep the location/layout of furniture consistent and make sure that passageways are kept unobstructed. Inform the employee of any changes immediately.
- Allow for close seating with clear view for an employee with low vision.
- Utilize/designate someone to be a reader.
Accommodation suggestions for individuals
with Systemic Disabilities
- Allow for flexible scheduling. Provide several short breaks instead of one long one.
- Utilize a "team" approach to projects. Break large tasks into smaller tasks to reduce stress and anxiety - two of the major aggravating factors of systemic conditions.
- Consider home-based work stations. Allow for working at home and computing work in rather than commuting in.
- Centralize job functions if walking long distances is a concern.
- Provide special parking arrangements.
- Permit the use of accrued paid leave or unpaid leave for necessary treatment and medical appointments.
Source: "Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act: A Handbook for employers." The Career Initiatives Project, Keene State College, Keene, NH. 1995. This guide is available at the KEENE STATE COLLEGE WWW Page Located at : http://fignewton.keene.edu/homepage.html under the Aspire Program.