Disability Etiquette and Interviewing Tips
Job Accommodations
Definition of disability
Disability: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
The term “disability”, while seemingly straight forward, can evoke strong images.
But disabilities go well beyond the obvious. Many physical and mental disabilities are completely hidden from view, yet challenge those individuals on a daily basis who are determined to overcome their debilitating effects.
Some disabilities may seem minor to many. Yet consider the dishwasher who suffers from painful dermatitis caused by his allergy to latex gloves… or the office-worker who experiences vertigo, brought on by certain strong fragrances.
Nailing down a comprehensive definition for disability is difficult. In general, government and social-service agencies tend to accept broad definitions. Yet when compelled to zero in on a complete definition, the result can be as sprawling as this document authored by The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Section 902 Definition of the Term Disability; Click at your own risk…
In the United States today, disability is most often used to describe any impairment that restricts access to employment, education and/or natural and physical structures (parks, buildings, restaurants, etc…)
The Job Accommodations Network (JAN) has done an excellent job of defining over 90 specific illnesses, injuries or conditions that constitute a disability. They also provide practical tips on providing accommodations for folks with each specific disability.
Below is a compilation of the JAN list with links to specific disabilities and accommodations. Included as well is whether a disability affects a person physically, mentally or perhaps both.
Disability or Condition |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A |
Physical |
Mental |
|
K |
Physical |
Mental |
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
Possible |
Possible |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
|
|
L |
|
|
|
|
M |
|
P |
|
||
P |
|
|
|
M |
||
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
P |
Possible |
|
P |
|
||
|
P |
|
||||
|
M |
|
P |
Possible |
||
P |
|
|
P |
Possible |
||
P |
M |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
|
|
M |
|
|
|
|
M |
|
P |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
M |
|
B |
|
|
|
P |
|
|
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
|
M |
|
||||
P |
|
|
P |
Possible |
||
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
Possible |
Possible |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
|
|
O |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
|
|
C |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Possible |
Possible |
|
P |
|
|
|
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
P |
|
|
P |
Possible |
||
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
|
|
M |
||||
P |
|
|
|
M |
||
P |
|
|
||||
|
M |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
|
|
Q |
|
|
|
|
P |
|
||||
P |
Possible |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
|
|
R |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
Possible |
|
D |
|
|
|
|||
|
M |
|
P |
|
||
|
M |
|
P |
|
||
P |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M |
|
S |
|
|
|
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
M |
|
E |
|
|
|
P |
|
|
P |
Possible |
|
P |
|
||
P |
|
|
Possible |
M |
||
|
|
|
|
P |
|
|
F |
|
|
|
P |
|
|
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||
G |
|
|
|
P |
Possible |
|
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
P |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T |
|
|
H |
|
|
|
P |
|
|
P |
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
|
|
V |
|
|
|
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
P |
|
|
P |
|
||
P |
Possible |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
M |
|
W |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
|
|
I |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M |
|
|
|
|
This information was developed in partnership with the EmployABILITY program of the City of Los Angeles Community Development Department, created in collaboration with the Los Angeles City Workforce Investment Board, to create career empowerment for persons with disabilities.