Keppig
09-04-03, 08:18 AM
Source: http://add.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa111202a.htm
ADD/ADHD in the Workplace
Accomodations
ADD/ADHD is covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act and individuals with ADD/ADHD can be entitled to certain accomodations at work based on their needs.
A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder may not automatically mean that accomodations are needed. Many people work well in their jobs, without requiring special assistance. However, for those that do require accomodations, they can receive protection under the American’s With Disabilities Act.
Prior to requesting special accomodations, you should take the time to determine what you need, and why. Evaluate your job and your duties. Determine which parts of the job you do well now, and which parts you feel you could do better with assistance or accomodations. Be as specific as possible while preparing. For example, if you are required to attend meetings and you are responsible for following up on ideas presented at the meeting, you may want to have a tape recorder available during meetings. By recording the meetings, you can go over the important points again, with less distractions and make sure that you have followed through on all important points.
Your employer will want to understand why your ADD/ADHD would cause problems. Try to list symptoms of ADD/ADHD and how they can affect your job performance. Be as specific as possible. Instead of indicating a memory deficiency, include information on inability to focus, becoming easily distracted or problems with short term memory. The more specific you are, the more detailed of a plan you can propose to your employer.
While preparing, list every part of your job, which portions you perform well and which portions require additional work. Take each portion and try to find some reasonable solutions. All solutions need not be expensive or elaborate. Some solutions may simply be a more in-depth understanding of ADD/ADHD. Others may call for simple reorganization of systems and still others may require equipment or assistance from other personnel.
Some examples of accomodations are:
1. Restructuring of job duties to redistribute portions of the job to other personnel.
2. Restructuring of deadlines or times when work is due.
3. Creating flexible work schedules or reducing work to part time schedule.
4. Modifying training materials to include audio or video tapes.
5. Access to tape recorder for meetings.
6. Color coding supplies, such as color coded filing systems, using different colored papers for important memos or
using coding each project with a certain color.
7. The use of a computer.
8. Spell check and grammar check software.
9. Talking calculators or large screen calculators.
10. Organizational helpers such as dayplanners, PDAs, organizational/planning software, timers, or alarm clocks.
11. Room dividers to lessen distractions.
12. Ability to use “white noise” at your desk, or the use of headphones to reduce suditory distractions.
13. Moving to a private office.
14. Restructuring of files or workspace to create a more even flow of work, as well as reduce steps
to completion of work.
15. Printed cards to make busy work easier, such as charts of fractions, abbreviations, maps of file cabinets, maps outlining work flow.
These examples should help to determine exactly what your needs are. Keeping your needs reasonable and accepting alternatives to accomodations may sometimes be necessary.
Talking with your employer is the first step. Find out what they believe is reasonable and what they may be willing to do to help you better perform your job. Although you may be entitled to many accomodations, some employers will not want to provide expensive and elaborate services. Negotiate for what you need to perform, but keep your employers needs in mind as well as your own.
ADD/ADHD in the Workplace
Accomodations
ADD/ADHD is covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act and individuals with ADD/ADHD can be entitled to certain accomodations at work based on their needs.
A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder may not automatically mean that accomodations are needed. Many people work well in their jobs, without requiring special assistance. However, for those that do require accomodations, they can receive protection under the American’s With Disabilities Act.
Prior to requesting special accomodations, you should take the time to determine what you need, and why. Evaluate your job and your duties. Determine which parts of the job you do well now, and which parts you feel you could do better with assistance or accomodations. Be as specific as possible while preparing. For example, if you are required to attend meetings and you are responsible for following up on ideas presented at the meeting, you may want to have a tape recorder available during meetings. By recording the meetings, you can go over the important points again, with less distractions and make sure that you have followed through on all important points.
Your employer will want to understand why your ADD/ADHD would cause problems. Try to list symptoms of ADD/ADHD and how they can affect your job performance. Be as specific as possible. Instead of indicating a memory deficiency, include information on inability to focus, becoming easily distracted or problems with short term memory. The more specific you are, the more detailed of a plan you can propose to your employer.
While preparing, list every part of your job, which portions you perform well and which portions require additional work. Take each portion and try to find some reasonable solutions. All solutions need not be expensive or elaborate. Some solutions may simply be a more in-depth understanding of ADD/ADHD. Others may call for simple reorganization of systems and still others may require equipment or assistance from other personnel.
Some examples of accomodations are:
1. Restructuring of job duties to redistribute portions of the job to other personnel.
2. Restructuring of deadlines or times when work is due.
3. Creating flexible work schedules or reducing work to part time schedule.
4. Modifying training materials to include audio or video tapes.
5. Access to tape recorder for meetings.
6. Color coding supplies, such as color coded filing systems, using different colored papers for important memos or
using coding each project with a certain color.
7. The use of a computer.
8. Spell check and grammar check software.
9. Talking calculators or large screen calculators.
10. Organizational helpers such as dayplanners, PDAs, organizational/planning software, timers, or alarm clocks.
11. Room dividers to lessen distractions.
12. Ability to use “white noise” at your desk, or the use of headphones to reduce suditory distractions.
13. Moving to a private office.
14. Restructuring of files or workspace to create a more even flow of work, as well as reduce steps
to completion of work.
15. Printed cards to make busy work easier, such as charts of fractions, abbreviations, maps of file cabinets, maps outlining work flow.
These examples should help to determine exactly what your needs are. Keeping your needs reasonable and accepting alternatives to accomodations may sometimes be necessary.
Talking with your employer is the first step. Find out what they believe is reasonable and what they may be willing to do to help you better perform your job. Although you may be entitled to many accomodations, some employers will not want to provide expensive and elaborate services. Negotiate for what you need to perform, but keep your employers needs in mind as well as your own.