Accommodations for Persons with Intellectual and ...

1 JAN is a service of the Department of Labor s Office of Disability Employment Policy. Accommodations for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Melanie Whetzel, Lead Consultant Cognitive/Neurological TeamKelsey Lewis, Consultant Cognitive/Neurological Team1 Intellectual DisabilitiesAgenda About Intellectual Disabilities Situations and Solutions Job Accommodations Q & A2 Intellectual DisabilitiesOverview Established in 1983 as a national, free service. Specialize in job Accommodations and the employment provisions of the ADA. Assist with the interactive process. Give targeted technical assistance. Provide comprehensive resources. Maintain confidentiality. Communicate via telephone, chat, text, TTY, relay, email, Skype, and social networks. Offer live and archived training.

2 Work as a partner in making model DisabilitiesAn Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in Intellectual functioning adaptive behaviors that affect many everyday social and practical skills4 Intellectual DisabilitiesADAAA and Intellectual / Cognitive DisabilitiesThere are some impairments that will virtually always constitute a disability because they substantially limit brain function. An Intellectual / cognitive disability is one of them because of limitations in the functions of learning, reading, and DisabilitiesAccommodations for Limitations in Cognitive Abilities Motor Abilities Social Abilities6 Intellectual DisabilitiesAccommodations for Limitations in Cognitive Abilities Reading Writing Performing Calculations Memory Organization Time Management/Performing or Completing Tasks 7 Intellectual DisabilitiesSituation.

3 A bus garage employee who had difficulty reading, but had excellent listening comprehension skills often missed instructions and important announcements that were sent via DisabilitiesReading Provide pictures, symbols, or diagrams instead of words Read written information to employee Provide written information on audio Use voice output on computer Use line guide to identify or highlight one line of text at a time 9 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: The employee was provided with screen-reading software that allowed him to listen to the e-mails that he received. His performance greatly improved, as well as his attendance at meetings and DisabilitiesSituation: A janitorial employee is unable to write well and accurately document the work she completed because the form the employer required her to use necessitated writing out the tasks she completed.

4 Her documentation made it appear as if she did nothing during her DisabilitiesWriting Provide templates or forms to prompt information requested Allow verbal response instead of written response Allow typed response instead of written response Use voice input on computer Use spell-check on computer Use a scribe to write the employee s response Provide ample space on forms requiring written response 12 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: The employer accommodated the employee by making a change to the form she used so that she had the same opportunity as others to document the work she completed. Her form included pictures of the tasks that only required her to check off each one as it was completed. 13 Intellectual DisabilitiesSituation: A baker s assistant is unable to count to twelve when filling a baking sheet with cookie DisabilitiesPerforming Calculations Allow use of calculator Large-display calculator Talking calculator Use counter or ticker Make pre-counted or pre-measured poster or jig Provide talking tape measure Use liquid level indicators Mark the measuring cup with a fill to here line 15 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: A plastic template that fit the baking sheet was created with twelve holes in which to place the cookie dough.

5 Once the holes are filled, the assistant removed the template and baked twelve cookies each DisabilitiesSituation: A grocery store stocker was having difficulty remembering what tasks to return to when he was interrupted by customers asking for assistance or when he was called to another task such as cleaning up a DisabilitiesMemory Use voice -activated recorder to record verbal instructions Provide written information Provide checklists Prompt employee with verbal cues (reminders) Post written or pictorial instructions on frequently-used machines 18 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: The stocking clerk was given a small voice recorder that he kept in his pocket. When the current task he was engaged in was interrupted, he would record exactly what he was doing and where he was so that he could return to the task.

6 19 Intellectual DisabilitiesSituation: An office worker at an elementary school was responsible for receiving copy orders and providing the completed copies to teachers within two days. He was unable to complete the handwritten orders on time with no organizational DisabilitiesOrganization Minimize clutter Color-code items or resources Provide A-B-C chart Provide 1-2-3 chart Divide large tasks into multiple smaller tasks Avoid re-organization of workspace Label items or resources Use symbols instead of words Use print labels instead of hand-written labels 21 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: The school secretary provided a typed form that required the teachers to supply a uniform amount/type of information, while at the same time setting up daily labeled baskets that the teachers placed their orders and materials in.

7 The baskets allowed the employee to see which orders needed to be done first, allowing the copy orders to be completed in the two-day time DisabilitiesSituation: A mail clerk had difficulty remembering to go for his second mail collection run when he was involved in other DisabilitiesTime Management/Performing or Completing Tasks Provide verbal prompts (reminders) Provide written or symbolic reminders Use alarm watch or beeper Use jig for assembly to increase productivity Arrange materials in order of use Use task list with numbers or symbols Avoid isolated workstations Provide space for job coach Provide additional training or retraining as needed24 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: The mail clerk was provided with a watch that had a timer set for when he needed to start his run.

8 The watch vibrated to alert him it was time to DisabilitiesAccommodations for Limitations in Motor Abilities Using Computer Using Telephone Accessing Workspace Handling or Grasping Objects26 Intellectual DisabilitiesSituation: An activities aide in an extended living facility had difficulty writing documentation in the daily log for the groups she DisabilitiesUsing Computer: Use key guard Use alternative input devices speech recognition speech output trackball joystick touchscreen 28 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: The aide was provided speech to text software that allowed her to dictate her notes from a computer, print them out, and then place them in the log / DisabilitiesSituation: A maintenance worker had difficulty reading commonly called phone numbers from a chart, then dialing the numbers DisabilitiesUsing Telephone: Use large-button phone Use phone with universal symbols (fire, police, doctor) Use phone with speed-dial, clearly labeled Use receiver holder Use headset 31 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: The employee was provided a large button phone that allowed for photos to be inserted in place of the numbers.

9 The phone numbers were programmed in, so the employee only had to press the button with the photo of the person he was calling for the call to go through. 32 Intellectual DisabilitiesSituation: A parts sorter in a distribution center had difficulty standing for his shift with only a thirty-minute lunch and short afternoon break. His work became sloppy in the afternoons due to his DisabilitiesAccessing Workspace: Place anti-fatigue mats at workstation Use motorized scooter Use stools at workstations Move items within reach Provide frequent rest breaks 34 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: The employee was provided with a both an anti-fatigue mat to help his back and legs and a stand/lean stool that allowed him the ability to work in an upright position while his weight rested on the padded DisabilitiesSituation: A production worker had difficulty grasping a plastic bottle to accurately apply an adhesive label.

10 36 Intellectual DisabilitiesHandling or Grasping Objects: Use ergonomic tools, handle build-ups, or other tool adaptations Use orthopedic writing aids Use grip aids Use jig or brace 37 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: JAN suggested making a wooden jig, which secured the bottle, thus allowing the employee to use both hands when applying the DisabilitiesAccommodations for Limitations in Social Abilities Emotional Support Interacting with Co-Workers Working Effectively with Supervisors39 Intellectual DisabilitiesSituation: A new employee who had passed the probationary period with flying colors was now experiencing the gradual withdrawal of the job coach who had been instrumental in the employee s success. The supervisor was seeing a few issues resurface. 40 Intellectual DisabilitiesEmotional Support: Give positive feedback Use visual performance charts Provide tangible rewards Use co-workers as mentors Use Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Provide job coach 41 Intellectual DisabilitiesSolution: The employer recruited a co-worker that had formed a positive relationship with the new employee to function as a natural support to the employee after the job coach was gone, providing the same type of DisabilitiesSituation: An employee who had difficulty making and sustaining eye contact had the habit of sliding his eyes down to co-workers chest area when he was conversing with them.