Article by Jessica Patton, Employment Consultant Best Buddies Jobs
As an Employment Consultant for Best Buddies Jobs, I work daily with my JOBS participants to troubleshoot when there are questions regarding accommodations in the workplace. But sometimes, we cannot figure out the best answer on our own. That is where an amazing resource called JAN –Jobs Accommodation Network – comes in. JAN is a service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy through the U.S. Department of Labor. They offer free advice for employers, individuals, and agencies that support individuals with disabilities on questions regarding workforce accommodations or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
JAN is an extensive resource. They provide an A-Z list of disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as physical disabilities. JAN offers information about each disability including definitions, causes, and treatments. For most disabilities, there is also detailed information about how a business can accommodate a person with that particular disability. They offer questions to consider as well as suggestions for accommodations that are broken down by some of the most common needs of people with that disability. Lastly, JAN offers descriptions of common situations as well as solutions that JAN has recommended.
If you need more information on how to provide or request an accommodation, one of the best resources from JAN is their free, confidential technical assistance hotline where you can speak with a JAN Consultant trained on accommodations and the ADA. To reach JAN, call 800-526-7234, Monday through Friday from 6am-3pm, Pacific Standard Time.
You can also utilize this great resource by going to their website at http://askjan.org.
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