Take Medication

Some employees with various limitations may require additional, detail-oriented training to help them learn to do their job tasks or to enhance their knowledge of their duties. Due to difficulties with memory associated a condition or from medications taken, an employee might benefit from training refreshers, whether given in part of in full, extended time with a trainer, or the use of alternate materials.

Employees who experience limitations in concentration may need a flexible schedule in order to work optimally during hours of increased attentiveness. Flexible schedules can also be used to have a period of mental rest in order to refocus and reorient into his/her work. Examples of a flexible schedule would be adjusting starting and ending times of the workday, combining regularly scheduled breaks to create one extended break or dividing large breaks into smaller segments, and allowing work to be completed during hours when the employee is most mentally alert.

The following resources offer watches, timers, and other devices that can be used as medication reminders. These have a wide range of capabilities but offer anywhere from 6 - 30 daily alerts.

Common policy modification accommodations include modifications to leave, no-animal, dress code, and fragrance policies. For example, an attendance policy can be modified so that the absences related to seizures will not count against the employee.

Individuals with memory deficits may benefit from cueing and reminder devices to help them remember important tasks, daily chores, taking medication, etc.

An individual may need space to rest, take medication, or perform hygiene associated with activities of daily living. An area reserved as a rest area or private space could be a reasonable accommodation. For example, during or after a seizure, people with epilepsy may exhibit behaviors such as crying, drooling, spitting, or urinating. As a result, the person may need time following a seizure to engage in activities of daily living such as grooming and changing clothes.

Telework, within certain fields, can be an excellent alternative for employees who have conditions that make it difficult for them to leave their home or reliably travel to a place of work. Employers should consider if a job can be made compatible with telework for their employees and communicate their expectations and requirement for the job to be performed out of home. Allowing work from home during worksite or office construction; extremely hot, cold, or inclement weather; or parking renovations could be a reasonable accommodation.

Individuals with memory deficits may benefit from verbal cueing and reminders to help them remember important tasks, updates, daily chores, taking medication, etc.

Voice recording and playback devices can be used to create reminders and take notes. For example, due to difficulties with memory associated with a seizure disorder or from medications taken, an employee might benefit from the use of a voice recorder that would enable verbal directions / instructions to be recorded.  This would enable the employee to listen repeatedly and over an extended period of time if needed.