On This Page
About Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is exacerbated by gray overcast skies and poor indoor lighting. Some common symptoms of SAD are:
- Oversleeping;
- Fatigue;
- Feeling lethargic;
- Irritability and stress intolerance; and
- Lack of interest in daily activities, sex, or social interactions.
Treatment for SAD usually involves medication combined with light therapy. Light therapy is exposure to high intensity bright lights, typically referred to as light or sun boxes. An individual spends a period of time each day exposed to this light, and treatment can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours per day. Many of these light boxes are portable and can be placed on a desk or table in the work environment.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA does not contain a definitive list of medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Instead, the ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. For more information about how to determine whether a person has a disability under the ADA, see How to Determine Whether a Person Has a Disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).
Accommodating Employees with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
People with seasonal affective disorder may develop some of the limitations discussed below, but seldom develop all of them. Also, the degree of limitation will vary among individuals. Be aware that not all people with SAD will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may only need a few accommodations. The following is only a sample of the possibilities available. Numerous other accommodation solutions may exist.
Four basic light products are available to accommodate workers with SAD:
- Sun Boxes and Lights: These are rectangular light fixtures that have several fluorescent tubes that produce between 5,000 and 10,000 lux and come in many different sizes and styles.
- Light Visors: These are head-mounted light sources that resembling tennis visors and are good choices for people who do not have sedentary jobs or need to be mobile during the day.
- Sun Simulating Desk Lamps: These resemble typical office lamps.
- Dawn Simulators: These are devices that mimic natural sunrises by gradually brightening rooms over programmed periods of time.
JAN's Accommodation Solutions: Executive Functioning Deficits is a publication detailing accommodations for individuals with limitations related to executive functioning. These ideas may be helpful in determining accommodations.
Questions to Consider:
- What limitations is the employee experiencing?
- How do these limitations affect the employee and the employee’s job performance?
- What specific job tasks are problematic as a result of these limitations?
- What accommodations are available to reduce or eliminate these problems? Are all possible resources being used to determine possible accommodations?
- Once accommodations are in place, would it be useful to meet with the employee to evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodations and to determine whether additional accommodations are needed?
- Do supervisory personnel and employees need training?
Accommodation Ideas:
By Limitation
Attentiveness/Concentration
-
Products
- Alternative Lighting
- Applications (apps)
- Apps for Concentration
- Cubicle Doors, Shields, and Shades
- Desk Organizers
- Desk Pedal Exercisers
- Electronic Organizers
- Environmental Sound Machines / Tinnitus Maskers / White Noise Machines
- Fidget Devices
- Focus Enhancement
- Full Spectrum or Natural Lighting Products
- Noise Abatement
- Noise Canceling Earbuds
- Noise Canceling Headsets
- Sound Absorption and Sound Proof Panels
- Simulated Skylights and Windows
- Sun Boxes and Lights
- Sun Simulating Desk Lamps
- Timers and Watches
- Calendars and Planners
- Services
-
Strategies
- Color Coded System
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Flexible Schedule
- Job Restructuring
- Marginal Functions
- Modified Break Schedule
- Task Separation
- Task Flow Chart
- Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely
- Uninterrupted Work Time
- Verbal Cues
- Worksite Redesign / Modified Workspace
- Written Instructions
- Periodic Rest Breaks
- Rest Area/Private Space
Decreased Stamina/Fatigue
- Products
- Services
- Strategies
Executive Functioning Deficits
- Executive Functioning Deficits
-
Products
- Apps for Concentration
- Cubicle Doors, Shields, and Shades
- Environmental Sound Machines / Tinnitus Maskers / White Noise Machines
- Form Generating Software
- Noise Canceling Earbuds
- Noise Canceling Headsets
- Recorded Directives, Messages, Materials
- Sound Absorption and Sound Proof Panels
- Speech Recognition Software
- Timers and Watches
- Calendars and Planners
- Services
- Strategies
Sleeping/Stay Awake
- Products
- Services
Stress Intolerance
- Products
- Services
-
Strategies
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Communicate Another Way
- Complying with Behavior and Conduct Rules
- Flexible Schedule
- Instant Messaging and Texting Solutions for Businesses
- Job Restructuring
- Marginal Functions
- Modified Break Schedule
- On-site Mentoring
- One-on-One Communication
- Policy Modification
- Positive Feedback
- Supervisory Feedback
- Supervisory Methods
- Support Animal
- Support Person
- Telepresence
- Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely
By Work Related Function
Stress
- Apps for Anxiety and Stress
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Counseling/Therapy
- Flexible Schedule
- Job Restructuring
- Marginal Functions
- Modified Break Schedule
- On-site Mentoring
- Service Animal
- Simulated Skylights and Windows
- Supervisory Methods
- Support Animal
- Support Person
- Task Rotation
- Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely
- Uninterrupted Work Time
Situations and Solutions:
The following situations and solutions are real-life examples of accommodations that were made by JAN customers. Because accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis, these examples may not be effective for every workplace but give you an idea about the types of accommodations that are possible.
A grocery store bagger with seasonable affective disorder (SAD) had difficulty working an early schedule due to oversleeping.
She also experienced fatigue and depression during late fall and winter months. She was accommodated with an afternoon schedule and was moved to the front of the store, which had windows that let sunlight enter her workspace.
A driver with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) who picks up and delivers clients to various appointments began to forget waiting clients as well as the routes she needed to travel in order to deliver them to the appropriate facility.
When her employer mentioned the mistakes, the driver broke down. She described her depression and anxiety with the change of seasons and how it affected her memory. The use of reminder apps, as well as those to help with directions, were discussed as possible accommodation solutions.
Due to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) an elementary teacher experienced temporary but extreme fatigue that was expected to persist for several months due to a change in medication and the onset of winter.
He was accommodated with the removal of two extra duty requirements. Job restructuring, which consisted of temporarily removing his early and late bus duties, caused no hardship to the employer and greatly reduced his expenditure of depleted energy.
Due to her limitations from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), an office worker requested to move from her current location within a sea of cubicles to an office with windows.
Because offices were provided to management only, the employer moved the employee’s cubicle to the side of the “sea” where a bank of windows actually provided more natural light than any of the offices would have.
An architect in a large, busy, open office space requested a private workspace (on the sunny side of the building) to help her handle stress and emotions brought on by the open, crowded, and often noisy environment.
Her employer agreed to her requested accommodations for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), but also provided telework as an option as well as flexible scheduling for when the employee was particularly stressed while under firm deadlines.
An employee at a manufacturing site had been successfully working the second shift with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
He experienced fatigue and difficulty with concentration due to disruption of his sleep patterns and couldn’t work the early shift a new manager assigned him to. The employee was accommodated with the ability to remain on his current shift. The new manager found many employees willing to switch and work the day shift.
JAN Publications & Articles Regarding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Publications
Consultants' Corner Articles
Articles
- Accommodations Beyond Job Performance = Compliance and Inclusion
- Cognitive Impairment and the Interactive Process
- I Understand You Are Stressed...But Aren’t We All?
- Return to Work After Hospitalization for Mental Health Treatment
- Suicidal Ideation in the Workplace
- Supporting Employees with Mental Health and Cognitive Conditions while Teleworking
Blog Posts
Events Regarding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Upcoming Events
- Past Recorded Module
- Past In-person Training
- Past Exhibit Booths
- Past Webcast Series Training
-
ADA & Workplace Accommodations - Episode #44May 5, 2022
-
The ADA and Workplace Accommodation for Employees with Voice DisordersJanuary 31, 2024
-
Low-Key AT: Less-Obvious Options for Entry-Level WorkersMarch 16, 2022
-
Accessibility as a Key to InclusionJuly 25, 2022
-
Transition and Workplace Accessibility: What’s New in 2023?February 2, 2023
-
Together Again: AT for Travel and Inclusive EventsFebruary 3, 2023
-
2023 CSUNMarch 17, 2023
-
ATIA 2024 ConferenceJanuary 25, 2024
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
Presentations
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
Presentations
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presentations
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard, Lead Consultant, Assistive Technology Services
- Lisa Mathess, Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presentations
Accommodating Educational Professionals: Meeting Workplace Needs with AT
Friday 1-2pm
Grand Ballroom 7B
Session Code: TWA-05
Back on Track with the Interactive Process: When Accommodations Go Off the Rails
Friday 4:30-5:30
Magnolia 2
Session Code: TWA-02
Transition and Workplace Accessibility: What’s New in 2024?
Thursday 4:30-5:30
Magnolia 2
Session Code: TWA-08
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard, Lead Consultant, Assistive Technology Services
- Lisa Mathess, Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presentations
Accommodating Educational Professionals: Meeting Workplace Needs with AT
Friday 1-2pm
Grand Ballroom 7B
Session Code: TWA-05
Back on Track with the Interactive Process: When Accommodations Go Off the Rails
Friday 4:30-5:30
Magnolia 2
Session Code: TWA-02
Transition and Workplace Accessibility: What’s New in 2024?
Thursday 4:30-5:30
Magnolia 2
Session Code: TWA-08
-
Q&A with the Cog/Psych Team: Challenging Mental Health ScenariosMay 11, 2021
-
Accessibility & Accommodations: How Employers & HR Professionals Can Prepare for Emerging Tech in the WorkplaceMay 20, 2021
-
Accommodating Public Safety Workers with DisabilitiesJune 8, 2021
-
ADA UpdateJuly 13, 2021
-
AT Update: What’s new in 2021August 10, 2021
-
Ask JAN! Expert Q&AOctober 14, 2021
-
Return to Work After COVID-19 – Focus on Mental Health and Cognitive LimitationsNovember 18, 2021
-
Accommodation Solutions for Autoimmune DisordersDecember 9, 2021
-
Next-Level Accommodation and ADA ChallengesJanuary 13, 2022
-
ADA and Accommodation Lessons Learned: Stay at Work/Return to Work EditionFebruary 10, 2022
-
Ergonomics for TeleworkersMarch 1, 2022
-
Accommodation Solutions for Executive Functioning DeficitsMarch 17, 2022
-
Accommodation Solutions for Gastrointestinal DisordersApril 14, 2022
-
Accommodation and ADA Considerations: Reproductive Disorders and PregnancyMay 12, 2022
-
Personal Use or Reasonable Accommodation: What’s What?June 9, 2022
-
ADA UpdateJuly 14, 2022
-
AT Update 2022August 11, 2022
-
Accommodation Solutions for Sleep DisordersSeptember 22, 2022
-
Building a Disability-Inclusive OrganizationOctober 13, 2022
-
Providing Reasonable Accommodations to Veterans with DisabilitiesNovember 10, 2022
-
Ask JAN! Q&AJanuary 12, 2023
-
Supports and Services: Accommodations with a HeartbeatFebruary 9, 2023
-
What You Should Know About the Impact of Long COVID in the WorkplaceMarch 9, 2023
-
Accommodation Solutions for Neurodivergent WorkersApril 13, 2023
-
Accommodation Solutions for Fine Motor LimitationsMay 11, 2023
-
What to Do When Performance and Conduct Factor Into the Accommodation EquationJune 8, 2023
-
ADA Update 2023July 13, 2023
-
Assistive Technology (AT) Update: What’s New in 2023August 10, 2023
-
Accommodation Solutions: Substance Use DisorderSeptember 14, 2023
-
The Way I See It: Accommodation Process Perspectives from Different Points of ViewOctober 12, 2023
-
Accommodation Solutions: Respiratory Conditions, Allergies, & Fragrance SensitivityNovember 9, 2023
-
Accommodation Solutions for Employees with Intellectual DisabilitiesDecember 12, 2023
-
ADA and Beyond Compliance Considerations: Medical DocumentationJanuary 11, 2024
-
Ask JAN! Q&A: Sensory Team EditionMarch 14, 2024
-
Accommodating Employees with Diverse Cognitive and Neurological NeedsApril 11, 2024
Presenters:
- James Potts , Senior Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Anne E. Hirsh , Director of Collaborations, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Bill Curtis-Davidson, Co-director of PEAT
- Martez Mott, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, Ability Group, Microsoft Research
- Tina Park, Ph.D., Methods for Inclusion Research Fellow at the Partnership on AI
Presentations
Transcripts
This session, produced in collaboration with JAN and the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), will introduce the potential impact of emerging tech on accommodations. Participants will learn how employers and HR professionals can help plan for an accessible workplace of the future, including the procurement of accessible technologies and potential accommodation needs of people with disabilities. PEAT, funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, will interview technology leaders to find out how AI and XR will change the way we work and what these technologies could mean for the employment of people with disabilities.
This event takes place on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD).
Speaker Bios:
Bill Curtis-Davidson is a Co-Director and Sr. Consultant on Emerging Tech Accessibility at PEAT. In this role, he works to advance the accessibility of emerging workplace technologies, including XR and AI, to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. He partners with the disability community, tech companies, and the public to advance adoption of inclusive design and promising practices for tech accessibility. He serves on the External Advisory Board of the GA Tech Human-Computer Interaction Degree Program.
Martez Mott is a Senior Researcher in the Ability Group at Microsoft Research. His research is focused on designing, implementing, and evaluating intelligent interaction techniques that improve the accessibility of computing devices for people with diverse motor and sensory abilities. His current research focuses on identifying and overcoming accessibility barriers embedded in the design of virtual and augmented reality systems. Martez is passionate about improving diversity in the CS and HCI communities. He co-chaired the 2020 CHI Mentoring Workshop (CHIMe), is serving on the steering committee for CHIMe 2021, and co-founded the Black Researchers @ Microsoft Research group. Martez received his Ph.D. in Information Science from the Information School at the University of Washington. Prior to attending UW, he received his B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science from Bowling Green State University.
Tina M. Park is currently a Methods for Inclusion Research Fellow at the Partnership on AI, developing evidence-based methodologies for incorporating a more diverse range of stakeholders in the design and development of artificial intelligence. Prior to joining PAI, Tina has led efforts to cultivate supportive intellectual spaces for scholars of color at Brown University and nationwide. She has presented at top international conferences in her field such as the American Sociological Association, the Social Science History Association, the Population Association of America, and the Society for the Study of Social Problems, the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
- Tatum Storey, Consultant - Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
- Jeanne Goldberg is a Senior Attorney Advisor in the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Handouts
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- James Potts , Senior Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Linda Carter Batiste , Director of Services and Publications
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presentations
Transcripts
Handouts
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Alexis Popa , Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
- Julie Davis , Consultant - Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Handouts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
- Jeanne Goldberg - Senior Attorney Advisor, Office of Legal Counsel, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Handouts
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
- Christy McCune , Consultant - Sensory Team
Presentations
Handouts
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Alexis Popa , Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
- Ellice Switzer, EARN Workplace Disability Inclusion Associate
Presentations
Transcripts
Ellice Switzer, EARN Workplace Disability Inclusion Associate
Ellice is an Extension Associate with the K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability. She provides content development, training and technical assistance for EARN. As an Extension Associate, she provides national technical assistance and training on topics related to disability and employment, and U.S. disability policy. Her areas of focus include employer practices to support workforce disability inclusion, demand-side strategies to improve employer engagement among disability service providers and evidence-based practices to support post-school success for youth with disabilities.
Presenters:
- James Potts , Senior Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- James Potts , Senior Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
- Terri Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer, Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC)
- Bryon Bass, Senior Vice President Workforce Absence and Disability Practice Leader, Sedgwick
- Susanne Bruyere, Co-Director and Co-Principal Director, Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)
Handouts
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Julie Davis, Consultant - Motor Team
- Matthew McCord, Senior Consultant - Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess, Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Melanie Whetzel, Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Tracie DeFreitas, Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas, Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
- Jeanne Goldberg, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Matthew McCord, Senior Consultant – Motor Team
- Teresa Goddard, Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Jose Gonzalez Lopez, Consultant — Sensory/Motor Teams
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- James Potts, Senior Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel, Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Linda Batiste, Director of Publications and Services
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess, Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Lore Lee, Consultant
- Matthew McCord, Senior Consultant – Motor Team
- Tracie DeFreitas, Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Handouts
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard, Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Jose Gonzalez Lopez, Consultant - Sensory/Motor Teams
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Melanie Whetzel, Principal Consultant, Team Lead Cognitive/Neurological Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess, Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Tracie DeFreitas, Program Leader, Director of Training and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Handouts
Presenters:
- Jose Gonzalez Lopez, Consultant – Sensory/Motor Teams
- Teresa Goddard, Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Melanie Whetzel, Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Other Information Regarding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
External Links
- American Psychiatric Association Foundation
- Complying with the EEOC’s Mental Health Requirements in the Workplace Corporate Wellness
- EEOC's Depression, PTSD, & Other Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace: Your Legal Rights
- EEOC's Performance and Conduct Standards
- EEOC's Psychiatric Disabilities
- EEOC's Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Guidance Under the ADA
- Is It Illegal For A Company To Fire You For Being Depressed?
- Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity
- ODEP's "Mental Health and the Federal Workplace: What Can I Do?" Guide for Federal Managers, Supervisors and Employees
- ODEP's "Mental Health and the Federal Workplace: What Can I Do?" Video
- PART 1630—Regulations to Implement the Equal Employment Provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Performance and Conduct Issues in Employees with Mental Health Impairments
- U.S. Department of Labor: Mental Health at Work