Approach 2: Classification by specific targets

Introduction

A large portion of the accommodation questions that JAN (Job Accommodation Network) receives regarding return to work involve:

• gross motor impairment: they reduce the ability to lift, carry, move or transfer objects, stand, sit, walk, climb or access workstations or workplaces;
• fine motor impairments: reduce the ability to use a keyboard or mouse, write, produce reports or documentation, grasp objects;
• difficulty bending or reaching for objects; medical treatment planning;
• managing fatigue and weakness;
• performing activities of daily living;
• maintaining concentration;
• managing stress and implementing ergonomic and task-relieving measures.

This is followed by an overview of accommodations that may be helpful when returning to work after an injury or illness.

Gross Motor Impairment:

General

• Provide parking close to the work-site and an accessible entrance
• Install automatic door openers
• Modify the work-site to make it accessible
• Provide an accessible route of travel to other work areas used by the employee
• Make sure materials and equipment are within reach range
• Move workstation close to other work areas, break rooms
• Reduce travel over long distances
• Anticipate the possibility to request and receive help from a colleague for more demanding tasks
• Consider supernumerary work for heavy work for a period of time
• Allow work from home, especially during extremely hot or cold weather

Industrial

• Automate some repetitive processes or tasks
• Reduce repetitive tasks or interrupt the tasks with other duties
• Provide overhead structure for lifting devices
• Place frequently used tools and supplies at or near waist height
• Provide low task chairs, stand/lean stools, and anti-fatigue mats for tasks requiring long periods of standing,
• Make wheelchairs, scooters, industrial tricycles, or golf carts available if walking long distances is required.
• Provide compact lifting devices to push and pull supplies and tools from storage
• Provide aerial lifts, rolling safety ladders, and work platforms

Office

• Provide a height adjustable desk and ergonomic chair
• Move workstation close to commonly used office equipment
• Provide low task chair and rolling safety ladder to access low and high file drawers and supplies
• Provide carts to move files, mail, supplies and stock
• Provide a desktop organizer or a carousel to access frequently used materials

Service

• Provide anti-fatigue mats and stand/lean stools
• Provide a height adjustable desk and ergonomic chair
• Move workstation close to commonly used office equipment
• Provide compact lifting devices to push and pull stock and supplies from shelves
• Provide carts to move supplies and stock

Medical

• Provide adjustable exam tables
• Provide a spring bottomed linen cart
• Make patient lifting and transfer devices available
• Make wheelchairs, scooters, industrial tricycles, or golf carts available if walking long distances is required
• Train employees on proper lifting techniques and on proper use of patient lifting and transfer devices
• Provide powered beds for transporting patients
• Provide a height adjustable desk and ergonomic task chair

Fine Motor Impairment:

• Implement ergonomic workstation design (copy holder, monitor riser, articulating keyboard tray, task lighting, telephone headset, footrest, chair, arm supports, etc.)
• Provide alternative computer access (speech recognition, foot mouse, etc.)
• Provide alternative telephone access
• Provide writing and grip aids
• Provide a page turner and a book holder
• Provide a note taker
• Provide ergonomic tools, tool balancers, tool wraps, and anti-fatigue matting

Reaching and Bending:

• Rearrange storage areas so that heavy and frequently used materials are accessed at waist levels
• Raise individuals or lower materials to comfortable working levels
• Provide aerial personnel lifts, rolling safety ladders, work platforms, lift tables, height adjusters, reachers, and order pickers

Scheduling Medical Treatment:

• Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time
• Allow work from home
• Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress
• Schedule strategic breaks

Managing Fatigue/Weakness:

• Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress
• Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation
• Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time
• Allow work from home
• Implement ergonomic workstation design
• Provide access to wheelchairs, scooters, tricycles or golf carts to travel long distances

Performing Activities of Daily Living:

• Allow use of a personal attendant at work
• Make sure the facility is accessible
• Move workstation closer to the restroom
• Allow longer breaks
• Refer to appropriate community services

Maintaining Concentration:

• Reduce distractions in the work area
• Provide enclosed spaces, sound absorption panels or a private office
• Reduce ambient noise
• Provide a noise cancelling headset
• Allow for use of white noise or environmental sound machines
• Allow the employee to play soothing music
• Increase natural lighting or provide full spectrum lighting
• Reduce clutter in the employee’s work environment
• Plan for uninterrupted work time
• Divide large assignments into smaller tasks and goals/steps
• Restructure job to include only essential functions

Managing Stress:

• Restructure job to include only essential functions during times of stress
• Provide praise and positive reinforcement
• Refer to counseling and employee assistance programs
• Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others for needed support
• Offer sensitivity training to colleagues to make them aware of the worker’s needs and condition (empathy)
• Encourage use of stress management techniques to deal with frustration