Assistive Technology in Employment
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Technology makes it possible for many people with disabilities to succeed in employment. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), qualified people with disabilities have a right to receive reasonable accommodations that enable them to perform the essential functions of a job and be afforded the same opportunities as a person without a disability. Among the many possible accommodations an employer may provide are re-arranging a workstation, telecommuting, or furnishing assistive technology. In addition, the Rehabilitation Act Amendments include "rehabilitation technology" within the range of services state vocational rehabilitation programs provide to maximize individuals' progress in reaching their employment goals.
Best practice and advocacy resources:
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Ready, Willing and Available: A Business Guide to
Improving your Workforce by Hiring People with Disabilities.
(www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/rwa00/toc.htm).
Information on workplace accommodations including technology. - U.S. Department of Agriculture.
(www.usda.gov/oo/target/).
Technology Accessible Resources Gives Employment Today (TARGET) - Job Accommodation Network.
(janweb.icdi.wvu.edu).
Information on accommodations to employ individuals with disabilities. - Telework: the Future is Now.
(www.telework.gov).
Information on arrangements that enable employees to do productive work away from the traditional office. - Neighborhood Legal Services.
(www.nls.org/wkboklet.htm).
Using the Work Incentives to Fund AT and Make Work a Reality. - Neighborhood Legal Services.
(www.nls.org/vrbooklt.htm).
State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies and Their Obligation to Maximize Employment. - Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs).
(www.adata.org/).
Resources for employers and others on ADA employment requirements. -
Client Assistance Program (CAP) for vocational rehabilitation (TRC) clients.
(www.advocacyinc.org/contact.htm).
CAP regional office locations operated by Advocacy, Inc.