Pathways to the Future - Accommodations

Accommodations are ways to lessen the effects of barriers. They can include changes or adjustments to an environment to make it easier for a person with a disability to have the same opportunities. In school accommodations can help you demonstrate what you have learned. In the workplace accommodations can help you work as independently and efficiently as possible. In the community accommodations can help you live comfortably in your home and community. Sometimes accommodations are changes to equipment or materials to make them easier to use. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Visit https://askjan.org to learn more.

The following are examples of accommodations or modifications for school, the workplace, and independent living:

ACCOMMODATIONS IN COLLEGE OR OTHER TRAINING PROGRAM
Computer Access Alternative mouse device Alternative keyboard Text-to-speech application Speech recognition software Lecture Sign language interpreter Note taking assistant Digital recorder FM listening device Computer for taking notes Real-time captioning Personal Organization Talking watch Print or picture schedule Voice output reminders for tasks and assignments Studying/Learning Personal data assistants Graphic organizer software Digital recorder Software for organization of ideas Computer files provided by professor	Test-taking Extended time Low-distraction testing environment Repeating directions Oral testing Use of computer in class Math Talking calculator Accessible math software Calculation chart Graph paper Visual graphing software Reading Audio book Large-print, Braille material or computer Braille display Text-to-speech applications Scan-and-read software and pen Screen magnifier Writing Computer or portable word processor Electronic spell checker and dictionary Speech recognition software Slant Board Scribe

ACCOMMODATIONS IN COLLEGE OR OTHER TRAINING PROGRAM

Computer Access

Alternative mouse device
Alternative keyboard
Text-to-speech application
Speech recognition software

Lecture

Sign language interpreter
Note taking assistant
Digital recorder
FM listening device
Computer for taking notes
Real-time captioning

Personal Organization

Talking watch
Print or picture schedule
Voice output reminders for tasks and assignments

Studying/Learning

Personal data assistants
Graphic organizer software
Digital recorder
Software for organization of ideas
Computer files provided by professor

Test-taking

Extended time
Low-distraction testing environment
Repeating directions
Oral testing
Use of computer in class

Math

Talking calculator
Accessible math software
Calculation chart
Graph paper
Visual graphing software

Reading

Audio book
Large-print, Braille material or computer

Braille display

Text-to-speech applications
Scan-and-read software and pen
Screen magnifier

Writing

Computer or portable word processor
Electronic spell checker and dictionary
Speech recognition software
Slant Board
Scribe

ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE
Work Site Modification Wall partitions around workstation to minimize distractions Adjustable desks and seating Ramps, lifts Mobile arm supports and wrist rests Monitor risers Glare guards Modification of worksite temperatures Anti-fatigue mats Assistive Devices Adapted computer set-up Amplified phone or text telephone Augmentative communication device Electronic alarms and reminders Vibrating pager Assistive software, such as voice recognition and word prediction	Flexible Job Schedules Flexible work hours and flexible use of leave time Part-time hours More frequent breaks Telecommuting or working from home Human Assistance Readers Scribes Interpreters Job coach or mentor

ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE

Work Site Modification

Wall partitions around workstation to minimize distractions
Adjustable desks and seating
Ramps, lifts
Mobile arm supports and wrist rests
Monitor risers
Glare guards
Modification of worksite temperatures
Anti-fatigue mats

Assistive Devices

Adapted computer set-up
Amplified phone or text telephone
Augmentative communication device
Electronic alarms and reminders
Vibrating pager
Assistive software, such as voice recognition and word prediction

Flexible Job Schedules

Flexible work hours and flexible use of leave time
Part-time hours
More frequent breaks
Telecommuting or working from home

Human Assistance

Readers
Scribes
Interpreters
Job coach or mentor

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING:
Home Living Accessible control devices for TV, telephone, computer, lights, and other electronic appliances Remote paging system to call for assistance Home computer with adapted set-up Adapted self-care aids, such as a shower chair or dressing stick Accessible home design, such as wider doorways, railings, and ramps Emergency alert devices in bathroom and bedroom Personal attendant services Recreation & Leisure Accessible arts programs Adapted clothing for indoor and outdoor activities	Assistive listening and audio description systems in theaters Motorized shopping carts Adapted recreation activities and classes Accessible game controllers and TV remotes Adapted camping gear Transportation & Travel Wheelchair accessible buses, vans, and taxis Vehicles with adapted driver controls, such as hand controls or pedal extenders Accessible parking Global positioning systems (GPS)

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING:

Home Living

Accessible control devices for TV, telephone, computer, lights, and other electronic appliances
Remote paging system to call for assistance
Home computer with adapted set-up
Adapted self-care aids, such as a shower chair or dressing stick
Accessible home design, such as wider doorways, railings, and ramps
Emergency alert devices in bathroom and bedroom
Personal attendant services

Recreation & Leisure

Accessible arts programs
Adapted clothing for indoor and outdoor activities

Assistive listening and audio description systems in theaters
Motorized shopping carts
Adapted recreation activities and classes
Accessible game controllers and TV remotes
Adapted camping gear Transportation & Travel
Wheelchair accessible buses, vans, and taxis
Vehicles with adapted driver controls, such as hand controls or pedal extenders
Accessible parking
Global positioning systems (GPS)

Source: Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology and Transition Planning. The Family Center on Technology and Disability

JAN's Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) system is designed to let users explore various accommodation options for people with disabilities in work and educational settings.

West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) Virtual Loan Library
This program allows people with disabilities to borrow equipment and try it in their natural environments (home, school, workplace, etc.) to help them in making a better decision as to whether the product and its features will be useful to them.