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State of the Science Conference
September 15-16, 2005
Conference
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Workplace Accommodation Outcomes
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- Accommodations implemented
- What was not implemented
- Impact of timing for accommodation implementation
- Effectiveness of accommodations
- Why accommodations didn't work
- Accommodations used for other purposes
- Training
- What happened?
- Awareness of new and emerging technologies
- Accommodations implemented independently
Accommodations implemented
- Physical/spatial environment: Ramp, floor surface alterations, door
modifications, bathroom modifications, parking
- Assistive technology and work equipment: Communication device, speakerphone,
assistive technology, computer accommodations, magnification aid, workstation,
ergonomic chair
- Adaptive strategies: Job site orientation, training, assistance, tool
placement
What was not implemented
31% of the subjects reported receiving no accommodations or assistive technology
Physical/spatial environment: Ramp
Assistive technology and work equipment: Communication device, assistive
technology, computer accommodations, workstation, ergonomic chair
Adaptive strategies: Training, pacing, breaks, task structuring, tool
placement
Impact of timing for accommodation implementation
Didn’t affect at all (27%)
Didn’t get job because never received accommodations or used for
other purposes (30%)
Energy savings, efficiency (12%)
Not as efficient, had to borrow coworkers equipment, couldn’t
do job until accommodations received (15%)
Affected, but reason not specified (12%)
Lost job, not due to accommodations (4%)
Effectiveness of accommodations
Accomplished the intended purpose, 54%
- Able to keep working
- Eased impact of disability
- Increased independence
- Increased efficiency, productivity, save energy
- Increased comfort
- Allowed subject to do their job
Partially effective, 15%
- Technology didn’t always work
- Computer did what it was supposed to do, but other accommodation were not
as effective
- General circumstances affected effectiveness
- Not everything was accessible
Why accommodations didn’t work
Awkward to use
Computer programs were not screen-reader friendly
Equipment didn’t work or inefficient – computer impacted
by virus that couldn’t be removed, external noises caused voice activated
software to malfunction, equipment not customized for user, cheap equipment
broke, outdated
Equipment not suited for job – workstation too big, wrong equipment
purchased, new equipment not compatible with older accommodations (which were
not always updated)
Subject’s physical condition affected ability to work and use
accommodations
Accommodations used for other purposes
Yes, 54%
- Personal use: correspondence, finances, internet search
- Jobs for which equipment was not originally purchased
- School work
No, 23%
- Couldn’t use equipment as never could get job
- After lost job, equipment put in storage where couldn’t get to it
- Repossessed by VR
Training
Provided, 39%
- Insufficient for needs: not appropriate, not enough
- Taught by non-expert
- Self-taught
Not provided, 57%
- Nothing offered, or training request refused
- Not really needed
Would training have been helpful?
- Would have helped to understand equipment capabilities
- Could have learned faster and wouldn’t have to have asked friends to
assist
What happened?
Were the recommended accommodations taken to subsequent jobs?
Still using?
- Yes, 58% - Workstation, ergonomic chair, communication device, assistive technology
- No, 12% - Became outdated, nothing available to replace; became outdated,
newer versions were not purchased; accommodation broke; left job where needed
accommodations; accommodations repossessed
- Yes and no, 15% - Uses a different version than originally purchased; uses
accommodation with similar function; part of original equipment still in use
Awareness of new and emerging technologies
- Newer models, upgraded software
- Chairs with greater adjustment ability
- Handheld computer technology
- Workstations with disability friendly features
- Prices decreasing
- Subjects who did not know of new technologies generally admitted to
not keeping up with changes
Accommodations implemented independently
Environmental modifications: ramp, bathroom
Magnification software and equipment
Service animal
Workstation
Rest breaks, pacing
Computer
Updated versions of various software
Ergonomic equipment: chair, computer aids
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