Accommodation For People Research Articles

Employment Accommodations for People with Disabilities: Does Gender Really Matter?

AbstractThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employersto provide reasonable accommodations for any qualified individual with adisability. By examining the ongoing evaluation data from the Job AccommodationNetwork (JAN), this study seeks to investigate whether or not genderdifferences are present in the reasonable accommodation process. Open andclosed-ended data are collected using a 20-minute structured telephoneinterview of JAN customers (n= 1,247; 44% response rate). The results show veryfew differences between men’s and women’s accommodation request types, whetheror not accommodations were granted, the costs of requested accommodations, andsatisfaction with JAN. A significant difference, however, was found by genderon the effectiveness of the accommodation. Key Words: Accommodations, Disabilities, Gender, Employment, Social Work Practice

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING IN MENTAL HEALTH: LEGAL ISSUES AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS

BackgroundAdvance Care Planning (ACP) in mental health raises a series of unique legal questions. Writing about ‘advance statements’ in Scotland, Jacqueline Atkinson identified them as the questions of nomenclature, capacity,...

Evaluating the subjective benefit of hearing rehabilitation in adults with intellectual disability

Objective: Subjective benefit of hearing aid fitting was assessed in adults with hearing loss and moderate intellectual disabilities who live in supported accommodation for people with intellectual disabilities. Hearing aids were bilaterally fitted in 37 hearing impaired adults. Study design: Subjective benefit was assessed six months after hearing aid fitting with the ‘Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory‘ questionnaire, which was completed by caregivers. Results: Questionnaire scores revealed good hearing aid use and variable, but relatively low, subjective benefit. Subjective benefit was absent or negative in one-third of the subjects. Conclusion: According to the caregivers, hearing aid fitting in hearing impaired adults with intellectual disability was only partially beneficial. As the mode of communication is often basic in assisted living environment, caregivers may be unaware of any hearing problems.

Housing‐based support: a successful alternative to secure accommodation for people who have learning disabilities and have offended

Services for offenders who have learning disabilities are generally provided in secure and medium secure units. These services are often provided in segregated and congregated settings using therapeutic interventions. This paper presents a case study of a housing‐based service provided within the community, based on developing valued social roles for vulnerable people.In 2003 the then Labour government in the UK sought to align all of the state benefits paid to people who were not in work due to disability and other disadvantages. The resulting ‘transitional housing benefit’ integrated housing benefit and other support grants, with the aim of providing vulnerable people and service providers with a single point of reference when it came to the funding of accommodation and support. The service is based on the principle of normalisation (Wolfensberger, 1972; Tyne & O'Brien, 1981), the theory of social role valorisation (SRV) (Wolfensberger & Thomas, 1983; Wolfensberger et al, 1996; Race, 1999) and O'Brien's Framework for Accomplishment (O'Brien, 1987) and provides a credible alternative to more traditional approaches.The paper provides a critical introduction to SRV and O'Brien's Framework and how their principles have been used to support people with complex needs. It discusses some of the structures and attitudes prevalent in society or, as Wolfensberger calls them, the ‘domains’ and ‘major channels’ by which people with learning disabilities are oppressed.The case study includes examples of practice and shows some interesting differences in patterns of referral and destination routes for males and females and concludes with some implications for practice.

Work accommodation for people with multiple chemical sensitivity1

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a term used to describe allergic‐like reactions to chemicals that represent everyday exposures in industrialized countries. It is sometimes associated with electromagnetic sensitivity, and both conditions are most likely engendered by environmental exposures. Prevalence studies suggest that chemical sensitivity affects 12–15% of the US population and that it crosses age, socio‐economic status and racial lines. Electromagnetic sensitivity is less understood, but affects a portion of those with chemical sensitivity. Persons with these environmental sensitivities often experience difficulties with health care, housing and work. Workplace barriers result in significant disability, with ensuing financial loss and isolation for the worker. We examined work accommodations for 100 persons with self‐reported MCS and its relation to life satisfaction. Results are discussed in terms of accommodating invisible disabilities that challenge industrial capitalism.

'City living' and sustainable development: The experience of a UK regional city

'City living' has the potential to contribute towards sustainable development as well as to urban renaissance: medium to high density, mixed-use property development on brownfield, central sites provides accommodation for people in city centre employment, reduces the need for travel and adds to urban vitality and viability. But city living developments, driven by demand from buy-to-let investors, have not fulfilled all their potential in terms of environmental, social and economic sustainability. The paper argues that the structure of incentives and lack of adequate controls have created a phenomenon that is economically precarious, socially elitist and environmentally ambiguous. The argument draws on an in-depth case study of Leeds in the north of England.

Product review of alternative computer workstations as possible workplace accommodations for people with chronic low back pain

Problems with chronic low back pain (LBP) impact the lives of many working age adults. The condition can leave people frustrated when their desire to work conflicts with their need to relieve the chronic discomfort. Because physical labor can aggravate the condition, persons with LBP may seek a more sedentary type of employment, such as video display terminal (VDT) operator. Unfortunately, typical VDT workstations require the operator to sit upright, which may increase the discomfort of an operator with LBP. Alternative computer workstations have been designed to allow the VDT operator to access the computer from a significantly reclined or supine posture. These postures have been shown to relieve some forms of LBP. This paper describes a comparison between twenty-four alternative computer workstations as potential workplace accommodations for people with LBP. Just under half (46%) of the systems reviewed, are designed for use only with a laptop computer, and will not support full-size monitor and keyboard. Only 33% allow access to full-size computer components from both a reclined and a supine posture. Complexity of component adjustment and awkward positioning for ingress and egress make these systems less than optimal for accommodating people with LBP in a typical VDT workplace environment.

Future need and demand for supported accommodation for people with learning disabilities in England

Despite changes in the nature of supported accommodation services for people with learning disabilities, little progress was made during the '70s, '80s and '90s in addressing the extent of unmet need. While the advent of Supporting People has more recently led to an increase in the volume of provision, unmet need continues to be a major concern to people with learning disabilities and their families. There is good reason to believe that, as a result of changes in the demographic profile of people with learning disabilities, changes in expectations and changes in the pattern of informal care, this issue will become substantially more pressing over the coming two decades. This paper attempts to estimate the nature and extent of increased need.

Mentally Disabled People Still Find No Welcome Mat

Mentally Disabled People Still Find No Welcome Mat

Closer to Home: A Critique of British Government Policy towards Accommodating Learning Disabled People in Their Own Homes

This review of British government policy on accommodation for people with learning disability compares two White Papers: Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped(DHSS, 1971) and Valuing People(DOH, 2002). NHS employment issues muted the influence of Better Services. Statistics show a slow transfer from the NHS to other providers, but little development of independent living alternatives since 1971, despite a policy emphasis on social inclusion themes in recent policy. Promotion of housing choice, where residential care provision dominates, inhibits inclusive housing. Valuing Peopledoes not address the potentially conflicting choices of disabled people and their families and is critical of local authorities for not supporting large-scale residential care. Supported living alternatives cannot receive sufficient support where residential care agencies’ interests predominate. Better incentives are needed for local authorities to provide support for people with learning disabilities to safely live in a home of their own rather than in residential care.

The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among adults living in institutions

This paper presents prevalence data from the 1994 OPCS survey of psychiatric morbidity among adults permanently resident in institutions catering for people with mental health problems in Great Britain. It describes briefly the survey methods used, and how diagnoses of psychiatric morbidity were derived. Its main aim is to show the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in different types of institutional settings. Residents were eligible for the survey if they were aged 16 to 64 at the date of sampling and were permanently resident at the establishment. Residents were defined as permanently resident if they had been living in the sampled establishment for six months or more, or had no other permanent address, or were likely to stay in the establishment for the foreseeable future. In 1994, about 33,200 adults aged 16 to 64 were permanently resident in accommodation for people with mental health problems. About a third of residents were in NHS hospitals, while about two-thirds were in residential care facilities. About two-thirds of adults interviewed suffered from schizophrenia, delusional and schizoaffective disorders. About 8% suffered from neurotic disorders and 8% suffered from affective psychoses (mainly bipolar affective disorder). The prevalence of schizophrenia, delusional, and schizoaffective disorders was higher in hospitals than in residential care, while the prevalence of neurotic and related disorders was higher in residential accommodation. The prevalence of schizophrenia, delusional, and schizoaffective disorders was higher in NHS psychiatric hospitals and general hospital units than in private hospitals, clinics or nursing homes.

An investigation of reasonable workplace accommodations for people with psychiatric disabilities: quantitative findings from a multi-site study.

Despite the requirement of many employers to provide accommodations in the workplace for individuals with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the preponderance of accommodations that have been described in the literature concern physical rather than psychiatric disabilities. This study was an exploratory, descriptive, longitudinal, multi-site investigation of reasonable workplace accommodations for individuals with psychiatric disabilities involved in supported employment programs. We discuss the functional limitations and reasonable accommodations provided to 191 participants and the characteristics of 204 employers and 22 service provider organizations participating in the study. Implications for service providers and administrators in supported employment programs are discussed.

Financial Penalties Under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program: Policy Discourse and Strategies for Reform

Many families did not leave welfare of their own accord but instead were forced off, sanctioned, for failure to conform to new, strict requirements (Bloom & Winstead, 2002). Studies of “leavers” indicate that many of these leavers are among the families that do not receive needed health insurance, food stamps, and child care assistance for which they remain eligible (Loprest, 2001; Zedlewski & Gruber, 2001). Sanctioned families are less likely to do well after leaving welfare compared to other leavers (Goldberg & Schott, 2000). As part of TANF reauthorization, Congress should prohibit states from sanctioning if they have not met certain requirements: conducted an assessment, made accommodations for people with physical/mental impairments or other barriers, and instituted strong pre-sanction and post-sanction procedures.

Evacuation behaviours of occupants with learning difficulties in residential homes

Purpose: This paper reports the results of unannounced evacuation of two residential care premises providing accommodation for people with learning disabilities. Method: Awareness of disability has in relation to fire safety focussed generally on mobility. With the advent of performance-based fire safety engineering codes which require the characterization of buildings and their occupants it is necessary to obtain knowledge of the likely behaviours of people with learning difficulties in an emergency. The unannounced evacuations which were conducted at 11.30 pm were video recorded to enable observation and an analysis of the residents' behaviours. Results and Conclusion: The results and observations obtained raise many issues; including transferable training skills, predictability of evacuation behaviours, and the need in performance code evaluation to consider the characterization of buildingsand their occupants as mutually inclusiveprocesses.

Stress and the move into community accommodation

The move into community-based supported accommodation for people with an intellectual disability can be exciting and rewarding but also confusing, demanding and perhaps even frightening. Yet, there has been little empirical or descriptive research into the emotional lives of this group. This study follows the concerns and stresses of four people with an intellectual disability for five months as they negotiate the trials and rewards of moving out into a flat in the community, with only drop-in support. The strongest trend emerging from all four participants is that the transition is not perceived by them to be stressful, but rather as a positive event which lowers general stress levels at the time. Unfortunately, the participants in this study found that other issues in their life gradually re-emerged and their perceived stress level soon rose again. Implications are drawn from the data for those involved in supporting people with an intellectual disability to move into supported accommodation.

The needs for care of the chronic mentally ill relocating from psychiatric hospital to the community: A pilot study

A pilot study is reported of non-hospital residential care for people with chronic mental illness. The Needs for Care Assessment (NFCA) was used to ascertain the clinical and social functioning of six patients who transferred from a long-term psychiatric ward to a high-support community hostel. Standardised interviews were conducted with patients and care-staff before re-location, during the settling-in period and one year later. Results indicate improvements in social and clinical functioning. Unmeetable needs in the hospital became meetable in the hostel. Residents expressed a preference for hostel accommodation.Staff and participants’ opinions regarding improvements in functioning appeared to differ. This study provided a first step to further explorative, but empirically-based analyses concerning hostel accommodation for people with chronic psychiatric disabilities.

Testing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

With a national reform agenda that includes all american students and federal legislation barring job discrimination against individuals with disabilities, concerns have mounted about how to accurately assess persons with disabilities. including these individuals in the assessment process often requires the modification of tests and testing procedures. along with these modifications come many complicated issues. this article reviews the literature pertaining to testing accommodations for people with disabilities. we address policy and legal considerations, existing standards, research on current practice, and research on technical concerns. we examine the relatively limited set of empirical studies on accommodations and assessments (many of which were conducted by test publishers) and recommend a significant program of research on testing accommodations for students with disabilities.

Job Accommodations for Adults with Learning Disabilities: Brilliantly Disguised Opportunities

The job accommodation needs of adults with a specific learning disability (SLD) are examined through an analysis of cases handled by the consultants at the Job Accommodation Network, an international accommodation information service of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Case examples are included, which provide practical solutions to common situations involving adults with a SLD in the employment environment. The final section lists useful resources available to those involved in making accommodations for people with a SLD.

Learning difficulties: staff support needs in residential services.

The past 20 years have witnessed a movement away from hospital-based care and accommodation for people with learning difficulties towards dispersed housing in the community. This affects not only the users of such services but also the staff employed to work with them. Because of this, it is important to closely monitor whether the need for staff support and staff development is being met appropriately. This article discusses the results of a survey carried out by Mansfield and Ashfield Community Mental Handicap Team to evaluate such service provision by interviewing the managers of residential services. It was found that the areas of largest perceived shortfall between need and provision were meetings between staff from different residential units and training in the skills of counselling, keyworking and liaising with the relatives of service users. The implications of the survey for service planning and future research are discussed.

Keeping the community in community care

Abstract This article describes the work of a community project providing accommodation for people with a wide range of problems. The project is managed and largely staffed by local people and is strongly committed to helping residents make local links. The potential for exploitation of volunteers and women as carers is discussed. The project is based on principles of community involvement and control and participation by consumers in the development of residential and community services—as emphasised in Wagner (1987) and Griffiths (1988).