It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month and I’m taking a moment in the last days of October to post a valuable resource, AskJan.org, job accommodations network. As the accommodations landscape continues to expand, this website provides a wealth of resources on many different types of accommodations needs. A summary from the website provides,
JAN helps individuals with disabilities explore accommodation ideas and provides practical suggestions for requesting and negotiating accommodations with an employer. JAN also provides basic information about the employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), called Title I. This information comes from resources provided by the federal agency that enforces Title I, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). JAN cannot provide legal advice or legal advocacy and does not have authority to enforce the law.
And a few reminders for an interactive accommodation process:
- Implement a streamlined and flexible process for accommodation requests
- Consider a more personalized and hands-on approach
- Engage in an open and interactive dialogue with the employee making the request
- Seek to understand the nature of the disability, the functional limitations, and the specific accommodation needs
- Request only the necessary documentation to establish the existence of a disability and the need for accommodation
- Avoid seeking excessive or irrelevant medical information. Safeguard the privacy of the employee throughout the accommodation process
- Limit the disclosure of information to those who need to know, and maintain confidentiality
- Explore various reasonable accommodation options based on the employee’s needs and the nature of the job
- Consult with the employee to identify effective and practical solutions
- Evaluate how the requested accommodation aligns with the job requirements
Last thought, not all disabilities are visible. Everyone deserves compassion, grace and understanding. The AskJan resource provides accommodation resources for all.
Happy fall, y’all. If I can help with accommodations or any other HR needs, please reach out.