Sample Workspace Solutions

Wondering where to start? We have compiled a list of situations and solutions from our own experience and from the Job Accommodation Network:

Situation: A person had an eye disorder. Glare on the computer screen caused fatigue.
Solution: An antiglare screen was purchased ($39.00).

Situation: A person with a learning disability worked in the mail room and had difficulty remembering which streets belonged to which zip codes.
Solution: A rolodex card system was filed by street name alphabetically with the zip code. This helped him to increase his output ($150.00).

Situation: A plant worker had difficulty using the telephone due to a hearing impairment that required use of hearing aids. It was suggested that he take a lower paying job that does not require telephone use.
Solution: A telephone amplifier that worked in conjunction with his hearing aids was purchased. He kept the same job ($48.00).

Situation: A large grocery store wants to hire an individual with Down syndrome and a mild hearing loss as a bagger/stock person. The concern was that he would not be able to hear the paging loudspeaker system that was used to call employees to different parts of the store for work assignments.
Solution: A personal paging device, which was worn on the wrist or belt and which vibrated when activated by an incoming signal, was purchased for the employee. When signaled, the employee immediately went to the office for specific instructions. In this way, the employer could be sure that the employee both heard and understood his assigned tasks. Cost: $350.

Situation: A clerk developed limited use of her hands and became unable to reach across the desk to her files.
Solution: A "lazy Susan" file holder was provided so she could access the files and keep her current job ($85.00).

Situation: An individual lost the use of a hand and could no longer hold a camera. The company provided a tripod, but that was too cumbersome.
Solution: A waist pod, such as is used in carrying flags, enabled him to manipulate the camera and keep his job ($50.00).

Situation: A seamstress could not use ordinary scissors due to pain in her wrist.
Solution: The business purchased a pair of spring-loaded ergonomically designed scissors ($18.00).

Situation: An insurance salesperson with cerebral palsy had difficulty taking notes while talking on the telephone.
Solution: Her employer purchased a headset for a phone ($49.95).

Situation: A person applied for a job as a cook and was able to do everything required except opening cans, due to the loss of a hand.
Solution: The employer called the Job Accommodation Network, was given a list of one-handed can openers, and bought one ($35.00).

Situation: A medical technician who was deaf could not hear the buzz of a timer, which was necessary for specific laboratory tests.
Solution: An indicator light was attached ($26.95).

Situation: An individual with dyslexia who worked as a police officer spent hours filling out forms at the end of each day.
Solution: He was provided with a tape recorder. A secretary typed out his reports from dictation, while she typed the others from handwritten copy. This accommodation allowed him to keep his job ($69.00).

Situation: A person who used a wheelchair could not use a desk because it was too low and his knees would not go under it.
Solution: The desk was raised with wood blocks (scrap wood individual brought in from home), allowing a proper amount of space for the wheelchair to fit under it ($O).

Situation: A person who worked outdoors had a medical condition which caused his hands to be unable to tolerate cold.
Solution: The individual used gloves with pocket hand warmers such as those used by hunters ($50.00).

Situation: A person with an unusually soft voice was required to do extensive public speaking.
Solution: A hand-held voice amplifier did the trick ($150.00).

Situation: An employer wanted to make the elevator accessible to a new employee who was blind and read Braille.
Solution: Raised dot elevator symbols that were self-adhesive made the elevator accessible. The cost was six dollars a piece.

Situation: A company wanted to hire a clerk who could not access the vertical filing cabinets from her wheelchair.
Solution: They moved the files into a lateral file and hired her ($450.00).

Situation: A person had a condition which required two-hour rest periods during the day.
Solution: The company changed her schedule and allowed her longer breaks, although she worked the same number of hours ($O).

Situation: A systems analyst in a state office has migraine headaches. The office was set up in cubicle format with overhead florescent lighting.
Solution: The accommodation was to move the person into his or her own office and to use task lighting as oppose to overhead lights. The worker is also sensitive to noise. The office was located next to a noisy garage area so environmental sound machines were used to block out some of the background noise that could periodically be a problem. Cost approximately $410.

Situation: A worker who uses a wheelchair in a plant that manufactures electronic components needed to be "grounded."
Solution: A "grounding foot strap" was attached to the person's foot and a 5-6" chain was attached to the foot strap. The chain lands down on the floor and serves as a ground. The company made an extra device should they have a visitor to the facility that uses a chair. There was a minimal cost for chain.

Situation: An insurance adjuster has an allergy to formaldehyde used in some paper products and an allergy to rubber.
Solution: The accommodation involved using gloves for handling paper and switching to paper that is recycled, chlorine free paper and soy based ink products. These accommodations enabled the worker to complete their required paperwork. Paper/ink cost increased approximately $130. per year. Gloves $10.

Situation: An individual with CP is in training to become a manicurist. The individual has use of one hand only. Part of the job requires the individual to hold the client's hand still with one hand while performing various tasks with the other. The person could do the manicure procedures but could not hold the hand still.
Solution: A device used for exercise in hand therapy was used to hold the client's hand in place still providing access needed by the professional manicurist. Cost approximately $100.

Do you need assistance creating an accessible workspace for a new or existing employee? We are here to help!