Accommodations That Work for All Bree Hayes and Jamie Suderman

INTRODUCTION

• Breanna Hayes, B.A. (Hons), RRP

•Employment Coordinator at the Autism Resource Centre, Regina SK

• Jamie, B.Sc., RRP (in progress)

•Employment Consultant at Vancouver Island Vocational and Rehabilitation Services, Courtenay BC

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

• The Ultimate Goal – Work yourself out of a job

• If you give 100% you have to back away 100%

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

• Levels of Support

Little-to-no Support Moderate Support A lot of Support

Independent Job Seekers Job Development Customized

Employment

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

• Disability Specific vs. Generic Employment Services

• Assistance/ intervention varies between people, between disabilities

HEARING IMPAIRMENT

• Range from not being able to hear certain sounds to being completely deaf

• Sounds aren’t loud enough, garbled or unclear

HEARING IMPAIRMENT

Strengths Barriers Accommodations

Capable of physical work Invisible disability

Hearing aids

Understand written

information

Speech difficulties One-to-one communication

Can develop excellent lip

reading abilities

Group settings Mirrors

Telephone communication Email communication

Verbal comprehension Interpreter, TTY phone devices

Emergency alarm

accommodations

HEARING IMPAIRMENT - ACTIVITY

• 1 person to play the part of the deaf/hard of hearing person

• One person reads out the instructions (without speaking – lip reading) while facing the individual

• Another person reads another set of instructions to the person (without speaking – lip reading) while facing to the side

• Did you understand the instructions?

ILLITERACY

• Inability to read or write

• Functional illiteracy

• Reading and writing skills are not adequate to function in daily living or employment

ILLITERACY

Strengths Barriers Accommodations

Very adaptable Invisible disability Support in applying for jobs

Ability to do many jobs Difficulty filling out paper work Talk-to-type apps on mobile

devices

Excellent coping skills Difficulty with email/written

communication

Unable to search and apply

for jobs in technology era

ILLITERACY - ACTIVITY

• Read the job posting provided

• Can you understand all the requirements of the job?

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

• Obsessions

• Unwanted or repetitive thoughts or urges that don’t dissipate

• Compulsions

• Actions that help reduce anxiety from the obsessions

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Strengths Barriers Accommodations

Enjoy routine tasks Invisible disability Provide coping strategies

Can be very organized Potential decrease in

productivity

Increased training time

Very rigid/lack flexibility Keep routine tasks

Anxiety

PHYSICAL DISABILITY

• Cerebral Palsy – brain has decreased ability to control muscle coordinator and bodily movements

• Spina bifida – portion of the neural tube that doesn’t close properly or fails to develop which causes spinal cord defects and motor difficulties

• Paralysis – damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of mobility

• Multiple Sclerosis – autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system and results in lack of coordination and movement

• Dystrophy – affects the musculoskeletal system of the body, reduces strength of muscle cells

• Parkinson’s – degenerative disease that affects the central nervous systems, which causes decreased coordination, difficulty walking, tremors etc.

PHYSICAL DISABILITY

Strengths Barriers Accommodations

Often little to no cognitive

impairments

Most likely visible disability –

creates negative perception

Accessible workspace

Adaptable Difficulty with motor skills

(gross or fine)

Ergonomic accommodations

Excellent problem solvers Transportation Employer education

Warm calls with employers

BRAIN INJURY

• Can be traumatic and non-traumatic • Wide range of symptoms depending on area of the brain impacted

BRAIN INJURY

Strengths Barriers Accommodations

Little to no physical limitations Invisible disability Routine jobs

Mood swings Reminder system

Indecisive Increased training time

Confusion Short, concise instructions

Memory or concentration

Problems

Practice appropriate social

behaviours

Balance or coordination

difficulties

DEPRESSION

• Sad, empty, or irritable mood for a period lasting longer than 2 weeks

• Affects cognition, motivation

DEPRESSION

Strengths Barriers Accommodations

Physically able Invisible disability Frequent breaks/Flexible

schedule

Cognitively capable Decreased motivation Give extra time

Emotional dysregulation Checklists

Fatigue Breakdown of jobs into small

tasks

Decreased affect Praise achievements

AUTISM

• Spectrum disorder: Autism <--> Aspergers <--> PDD-NOS

• Affects individuals in three key areas:

• Social communication

• Repetitive behaviour

• Sensory considerations

• Anxiety also affects individuals

AUTISM

Strengths Barriers Accommodations

Visual thinkers Invisible disability Routine jobs

Concrete and logical Social awkwardness Task checklist

Good memory Extremely rigid Visual schedules

Honest Anxiety Sensory accommodations

Enjoy routines Sensory difficulties Practice appropriate social

interactions

Communication difficulties

AUTISM-ACTIVITY

Required: 2 people, 1 shoe with laces, paper, pen

- Person #1 writes step-by-step instructions about how to tie shoelaces

- Person #2 follows instructions exactly (no inferring, no assuming!)

- What was it like writing instructions? What was it like following instructions?

ANXIETY

Strengths Barriers Accommodations

Affinity for routine Invisible disability Routine jobs

Good memory Illogical Task checklist

Physically capable Inability to decide/proceed Advance notice of change

Fearful Practice future interactions

Clear expectations

ANXIETY- SITUATIONS

• ARa: unable to respond when coworkers invite her for coffee

• BB: unsure how to say hello to coworkers

• DS: afraid to be fired, doesn’t want to ask for clarification re: a task at work

SUMMARY

• Everyone has strengths

• When finding employment, focus on what they enjoy and what they are good at

• Barriers can be overcome with simple accommodations

SUMMARY

• Invisible vs. visible disabilities

• Pose different challenges

• Things to consider: Disclosure decisions, effects on work, staff and employer perceptions

SUMMARY

• Accommodations

• Require creativity

• Ask your jobseekers

• Do not always require significant expenses

• Very rarely do

• Cross-barrier accommodations: Don’t re-invent the wheel

• Employers are open to inclusion if it’s made easy for them

QUESTIONS?