Disabilities in the Workplace

Get helpful equipment Lots of devices on the market assist people with hearing, vision and other skills.

I recommend:  Samsung makes a Braille mobile phone for people with vision impairment; Clarity sells a variety of devices (some under $50) that assist with volume amplification for phones; and IBM division AlphaWorks makes a mouse tracking device that users control with head movement. Find more products at the Assistive Technology News Portal.

Look for free and cheap Some adjustments and assistance are free or low-cost.

I recommend:  Firefox browser, a free, open-source browser, is evolving to allow for adjustments to accommodate disabilities, such as minimizing the number of keystrokes needed to navigate the Web. Another cheap solution: tape recorders. People with visual impairments often prefer to communicate and work with these instead of written materials. RadioShack sells a microcassette recorder for $29.99.

Make way for wheelchairs You may need to install an automatic door opener, an elevator, or hand-control devices on company cars, as well as rearranging furniture.

I recommend:  A stand-up wheelchair allows someone to stand while working at a counter, desk or table. These are available from custom builders such as 21st Century Scientific. see a fact sheet on adapting for wheelchairs and detailed information on adjusting to other disabilities at the Job Accomodation Network.

Know the law The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers businesses with more than 15 employees. The states that employers must make 'reasonable accommodations' for disabled workers, giving them the same rights and privileges as other employees unless it can prove that doing so would create an 'undue hardship' on the business. If the employee's disability requires regular medical care, any absences may be protected under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

I recommend:  Here are the regulations for the ADA and the FMLA.