Lupus is a chronic,
autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of various parts of
the body. The body's immune system normally makes proteins called
antibodies to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and
other foreign materials called antigens. In an autoimmune disorder
such as lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the
difference between antigens and its own cells and tissues. The
immune system then makes antibodies directed against "self."
These antibodies, called "auto-antibodies," react with
the "self" antigens to form immune complexes; individuals
with lupus produce too many antibodies. The immune complexes build
up in the tissues and cause inflammation, injury to tissues, and
pain by attacking functioning organs, especially the skin, joints,
blood, and kidneys. Lupus is a condition where the bodys
defense mechanism goes into overdrive and starts to attack itself.
There are an estimated 1,400,000 to 2,000,000 people with lupus,
affecting 1 out of every 185 Americans. Most individuals are diagnosed
with lupus between the ages of 20 and 40.
Accommodations are
evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We have compiled a non-inclusive
list of limitations that result in common accommodation situations.
In addition, you can find more information at JAN's A to Z Web
page at: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/atoz.htm.
Please
select the limitation that corresponds with the individual needing
an accommodation below.
Individual
has difficulty with activities of daily living.
Individual
has cognitive limitations.
Individual
is sensitive to extreme temperatures (including Raynaud's Phenomenon).
Individual
has gross motor limitations.
Individual
experiences fatigue and weakness.
Individual experiences migraine headaches.
Individual
has photosensitivity.
Individual
has a vision impairment.
Questions
to Consider
Accommodation
Examples
Organizations