NBDC: A Functional Approach to Workplace Accommodations

A Functional Approach to Workplace Accommodations

A free informational program on employing people with disabilities.

If you’re an employer, or potential employer of someone with a disability, this program is for you. In fact, anyone who wants a broad sampling of techniques and devices that help employees compensate for disability-related limitations should watch. Developed with the support of the a NEC Foundation, A Functional Approach to Workplace Accommodations is an interactive, self-paced informational program, viewable, free of charge, by anyone with access to the internet.

NBDC has noted that while employers are generally aware of the legal requirement to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities in order to allow them to perform the essential job functions, they may be able to benefit from additional information on providing accommodations.

The program’s “functional approach” focuses on job functions to be accomplished rather than on the abilities and disabilities of employees. For each job task, an example or two is given that can remove or mitigate obstacles related to the functional limitation an employee is facing. Some of the accommodations presented are unusual and high-tech, but most are simpler and more commonplace. Text, narration, photographs, and videos are used to demonstrate accommodations. There are links to more information on the Internet, too. If you have a question concerning workplace accommodations, please e-mail the Kornreich Technology Center.

This program was developed by the Nathaniel H. Kornreich Technology Center with support from the NEC Foundation of America.

Instructions

The program can take anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours to view, depending on what you choose to explore. It’s recommended that you view each of the three major sections in its entirety at one sitting; you can easily come back later to view the other section(s).

Pointer Navigation: to reduce visual clutter, navigation controls are minimal. As you move the mouse cursor around the screen, you’ll see it sometimes change to the shape of a pointing hand. That means you can click on that item. Sometimes, clicking once gets you an introductory statement; clicking a second time links you to photos and more information.

This program is rich in multimedia content. To view this program requires Adobe Flash, a minimum screen resolution of of 800 by 600 pixels, speakers, and a broadband internet connection. If your Internet connection is sluggish, you may experience brief delays while content loads.

Full Rich Text Version of the program.

The National Business & Disability Council

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A Functional Approach to Workplace Accommodations