Employers committed to the inclusion of qualified people with
disabilities in the competitive workplace and as consumers

 Disability Specific

In this section, we offer resources to help employers understand some of the more commonly-encountered types of disabilities and some helpful employment-related information pertaining to these.

There is a broad range of specific types of disabilities (over 500 according to some listings) and, within each of those types, a broad spectrum of disabling conditions. (e.g.: Someone who is considered to have paraplegia could be completely paralyzed from the neck down - or could simply have a general condition of weakness in all four limbs.)

These are generalized resources and it is important to remember that the each individual employee will bring their own very unique set of abilities to a workplace. Individually, they may or may not require accommodations for their specific job and, if needed, the best accommodations will be tailored to their very personal needs and preferences.
 

Blindness and Visual Impairment People who have no vision or whose vision is limited in a significant way.	Learning Disabilities People who have significantly different learning styles or who have  sensory conditions that interfere with learning.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing People who have no hearing or whose hearing is limited in a significant way.	Mental Health People who have emotional or psychiatric conditions that can affect their behavior.
Developmental Disabilities People with limited intellectual abilities.	Physical Disabilities People who have difficulty walking or who need assistive devices like wheelchairs to get from place-to-place.

BLINDNESS AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
 

THE OREGON EXPERIENCE  OSHU - How OSHU was surprised to discover how readily their intern with a visual impairment could perform well in their workplace. RESOURCES   Questions and Answers About Blindness and Vision Impairments in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act from the EEOC.   Accommodation Ideas for Vision Impairments - Practical suggestions from the Job Accommodation Network.

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DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
 

THE OREGON EXPERIENCE   Three Rivers Community Hospital - Learn how this hospital in Grants Pass hired a disabled veteran and worked with the employee to effectively accommodate her hearing loss.   New Seasons Market - A deaf employee in the meat department of the Sellwoods store stretches his limits. RESOURCES   Questions and Answers About Deafness and Hearing Impairments in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act from the EEOC   Accommodation Ideas for Hearing Impairments - Practical suggestions from the Job Accommodation Network.

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DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
 

THE OREGON EXPERIENCE   New Seasons Market - Why the manager at the Seven Corners store is focused on hiring even more employees with developmental disabilities.   Dinners Done Right - Where a visiting student with a developmental disability became an employee.   Clark County, WA - Read how Clark County proactively employs five men with developmental disabilities.   Fred Meyer - Portland's Hollywood district store is is just one of many Fred Meyer stores that has learned to value the contribution of employees with developmental disabilities.   Walgreens - Learn how one Walgreens store in Portland sees their employee's developmental disability as a "non-issue".   Oregon Employment Services Corporation (OESCo) - Learn how, for over 20 years, this organization has used "Supported Employment (Job Carving and Job Coaching) to support people with developmental disabilities in Portland-area workplaces. RESOURCES   At Baker Botts, Employees with Cognitive Disabilities Earn Valued Roles as Law Firm Employees   Questions and Answers About People with Intellectual Disabilities in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act from the EEOC   Clark County, WA - Read about the successes of their five union shop workers with developmental disabilities.   Rotary International - Read about Rotary's head office and the role played by one of their employees with a developmental disability.   Walgreens Distribution Centers - How Walgreens has deliberately focused on hiring people with developmental disabilities in its distribution centers throughout the country.

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LEARNING DISABILITIES
 

THE OREGON EXPERIENCE   Salem Auto Body - Learn how their shop foreman, who can't read, is readily supported by his co-workers. RESOURCES   Accommodation Ideas for Learning Disabilities - Practical suggestions from the Job Accommodation Network.   Supervising Employees with Learning Disabilities - A terrific overview of issues and techniques to be considered.

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MENTAL HEALTH
 

THE OREGON EXPERIENCE   Rapid Refill Ink - Read how this Oregon company hired a young man with mental health issues, stuck by him through a few rough spots, and watched him evolve into a top producer.   Standard Insurance Company - Read how their return-to-work program for people with mental illness boasts a 50% success rate.   Oregon Office of Vocational Rehabilitation - Based on personal experience, Stephaine Parrish Taylor believes that people with psychiatric disabilities have more to offer Oregon employers.   Employment Success is Enhanced through Supported Employment - multi-year data shows increased employment rates for Oregonians with psychiatric disabilities. RESOURCES   Reasonable Accommodations for People with Psychiatric Disabilities - An online guide for employers from Boston University's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.   Frequently asked Questions about Employees with Psychiatric Disabilities - Tips and advice on the ADA, Job Accommodations, and Supervision (PDF) from Boston University   Maximizing Productivity - Accommodations for Employees with Psychiatric Disabilities from the Department of Labor.   Employing and Accommodating Workers with Psychiatric Disabilities - a concise overview.   Employment and Mental Illness - Online Resources from the Canadian Mental Health Association.   Mental Health in the Workplace - Online "Employer Guide" from the Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania (PDF)   Accommodation Ideas for Psychiatric Impairments - from the national Job Accommodation Network. Available in the OBLN's online store: Accommodating Employees and Job Applicants with Mental Health Issues (35 minute video on DVD or VHS) Return to Work for People with Stress and Mental Illness (Coil-bound book)

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PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
 

THE OREGON EXPERIENCE   Main Building Supply - Creating a new job in order to retain a valued employee who acquired a disability.  PCC Structurals - Read how PCC Structurals' employee Ron Hyde had worked with the company to come up with innovative adaptations.   New Seasons Market - Designing cashier stations to meet the accommodation needs of cashiers who use wheelchairs.   Portland Store Fixtures - Read how accommodating the physical limitations of a valued employee was just business-as-usual. RESOURCES   Accommodation Ideas for Wheelchair Use - Practical suggestions from the Job Accommodation Network.   Accommodation Ideas for Employees with Leg Impairments - Practical suggestions from the Job Accommodation Network.

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