JAN’S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES

According to the National Institute of
Mental Health (http://www.nimh.nih.gov), a learning disability (LD) is a disorder
that affects people's ability to either interpret what they see and hear or to
link information from different parts of the brain. These limitations can show
up in many ways - as specific difficulties with spoken and written language,
coordination, self-control, or attention. Such difficulties may extend to
school and work and can impede learning to read or write, or to do math.

LD can be divided into three broad
categories: developmental speech and language disorders, academic skills
disorders, and other (a catch-all that includes certain coordination disorders
and learning disabilities not covered by the other terms). Each of these
categories includes a number of more specific disorders, including dyslexia,
dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, and auditory perceptual and visual
perceptual deficit.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a
diagnosis applied to children and adults who consistently display certain
characteristic behaviors over a period of time. The most common behaviors
include distractibility (poor sustained attention to tasks), impulsivity
(impaired impulse control and delay of gratification), and hyperactivity
(excessive activity and physical restlessness).

The following is a
quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be useful for
people with LD and ADD. For a more in depth discussion, access JAN's
publications at http://askjan.org/media/atoz.htm.  To discuss an accommodation situation with a
consultant, contact JAN directly.

Deficits in Reading:

·      
Tape-recorded
directives, messages, and materials

·      
Reading machines

·      
Recording
for the Blind and Dyslexic (http://www.rfbd.org)

·      
Screen
reading software for computer use

·      
Colored
Mylar templates (colored transparencies) for reading and scanning

·      
Color-coded
manuals, outlines, and maps

·      
Scanners,
which allow the user to enter hard copies into the computer system

·      
Reading
Pen

Deficits in Writing:

·      
Personal
computers/laptop computers

·      
Voice
output software that highlights and reads (via a speech synthesizer) what                    is keyed into the
computer 

·      
Speech
recognition software that recognizes the user's voice and changes it to text on
the computer screen

·      
Locator
dots for identification of letters/numbers on the keyboard

·      
Word
processing software

·      
Spell
checking software/electronic spell checkers

·      
Software
with highlighting capabilities

·      
Grammar
checking software

·      
Word
prediction software

·      
Form
producing software that computerizes order forms, claim forms, applications,
credit histories, equation and formula fields

·      
Carbonless
note taking systems

Deficits in Mathematics:

·      
Fractional,
decimal, statistical, and scientific calculators

·      
Talking
calculators

·      
Computer
Assisted Instruction (CAI) software for arithmetic/mathematics

·      
Computer
Assisted Design (CAD) software for architecture/engineering

·      
Large
display screens for calculators, adding machines

·      
Colored
Mylar templates, colored coding for maintaining ledger columns

Deficits in Organizational Skills, Memory, and Time
Management:

·      
Day
Planners

·      
Electronic
organizers/schedulers

·      
Software
organizers with/without highlighting capabilities

·      
LCD
watches, data bank watches, timers, counters, and alarms

·      
Personal
Information Managers (P.I.M.S.)

·      
Use
of electronic mail (e-mail) for memory deficits

Barriers in the Physical Environment:

·      
Room
enclosures/cubicles to reduce auditory and visual distractions

·      
Private
office space

·      
Use
of "white noise" by using a sound soother/environmental sound machine

·      
Use
of colored files

·      
Mapping
of the workspace/office

·      
Use
of headphones or ear plugs

Resources
Specifically for People with LD and ADD

Children and Adults
with Attention Deficit Disorder (CH.A.D.D.)

8181 Professional Place, Suite 150

Landover, MD 20785

Toll Free: (800)233-4050

Direct: (301)306-7070

Fax : (301)306-7090

http://www.chadd.org

International
Dyslexia Association (formerly the Orton Dyslexia Society)

40 York Rd., 4th Floor

Baltimore,
MD 21204

Direct:
(410)296-0232

Fax:
(410)321-5069

http://www.interdys.org

Learning Disabilities
Association ofAmerica

4156 Library Road

Pittsburgh,
PA 15234-1349

Direct:
(412)341-1515

Fax:
(412)344-0224

http://www.ldanatl.org

UGA Regents' Center for Learning Disorders

331
Milledge Hall

University
of Georgia

Athens,
GA 30602

Direct: (706)542-4589

Fax : (706)583-0001

http://www.rcld.uga.edu/

Academy for
Educational Development

1825
Connecticut Ave., NW

Washington,
DC 20009-5721

Direct:
(202)884-8000

Fax:
(202)884-8400

Attention Deficit
Disorder Association (ADDA)

PO Box 7557

Wilmington,
DE 19803-9997

Toll
Free: (800) 939-1019 

[email protected] 

http://www.add.org

National Center for
Learning Disabilities (NCLD)

381 Park Avenue
  South, Suite 1401

New York,NY
10016

Toll
Free: (888)575-7373

Direct:
(212)545-7510

Fax:
(212)545-9665

http://www.ncld.org

Updated 3/23/10.

This document was
developed by the Job Accommodation Network, funded by a contract agreement from
the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy
(DOL079RP20426). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position
or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nor does mention of trade names,
commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department
of Labor.