Affiliations: Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental
Access, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA | Atlanta VA Medical Center, Rehabilitation Research and
Development Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Michael Williams, Ph.D., Center for
Assistive Technology and Environmental Access, Georgia Institute of Technology,
490 10th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA. Tel.: +1 404 894 4960; Fax: +1 404
894 9320; E-mail: mike.williams2@med.va.gov
Abstract: This study examined the multi-faceted issues surrounding workplace
accommodation for workers with disabilities. A user needs survey of 510
disabled individuals examined the types of technology and accommodations needed
to perform work and employment-related activities. Workers with disabilities
used a variety of workplace accommodations to overcome difficulties with
functional limitations. Some differences existed in the types of accommodations
used by older and younger workers who had the same functional limitation.
Workers of all ages were not likely to report mental limitations, and those who
did were not likely to utilize workplace accommodations, with the exception of
some memory strategies. For those with hearing loss, younger workers used sign
language more frequently, while pre-retirement and retirement age workers used
more hearing aids. Working age adults with vision impairments used electronic
documents, Braille, and CCTVs more than pre-retirement or retirement age
workers. Regardless of age, workers reporting functional limitations often
received no workplace accommodations.
