Re: reasonable accomodation

July 26, 2005

Kent

I don't have the law in front of me, but your human resources person

is required to have it. I think they are suppose to put the pertinant

part of the law in writing at least once a year, but that might have

been changed. The entire law (well over a hundred pages) is on-line.

I had accomodations (which changed) for about 8 years, even though I

was receiving some before that.

You have to put your needs in writing. I didn't get real specific

about things in most cases. With steps, I said " no more than three "

for the first couple of years and then " no steps " . Since my job meant

going to more than one school, this took care of the issue in all

locations. I gradually made changes, especially when I began using a

power wheelchair instead of a scooter. One issue that I ran into that

was difficult was having a workspace that was large enough to

accomadate my chair or scooter. Itenerent folks usually get the

closets in the schools to work in .

It isn't required, but I would submit a new letter each year. Look

ahead to what you will need for the year.

laurie

> hi all,

> well, it is getting time to ask my present employer to make resonable

> accomodations under the ADA. any suggestions on how to go about this?

> should the fact that I am awaiting a diagnosis have any bearing? do i

> write a letter, meet with my bosses, what? how specific do i get?

> what about changes (worsening) of my symptoms? any benefit you can

> give me from your past experience would be appreciated.

> kent

>

> Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein

are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is

entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their

responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their

physicians regarding changes in their own treatment.

>

> Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is

automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack.

>

July 26, 2005

Each state varies on whether they have rules in addition to the

federal ADA. I found that I needed a note from my doctor that

generally indicated my disabilities, but only those that would affect

me at work. At one point, I got a note from my neurologist so I

could be allowed to adjust my work hours to take a nap during the

day, but still working 8 hours total.

Sometimes it is best to generally " feel out " your boss about the

general issue, other times it's best to first talk about it with

letters in hand.

" Awaiting diagnosis " is an interesting thought, I've been thinking

about that for a while. For example, the MDA clinics will see you

with a " suspected diagnosis " , but you cannot continue as a patient

unless they are relatively sure you have a MDA-covered disease. For

me, abnormal lactate/pyruvate tests, along with my symptom profile,

were enough for my MDA neurologist to give me a " mitochondrial

encephalomyopathy " diagnosis. *However*, I didn't get my " official "

welcome to the MDA letter until after I had a fresh muscle biopsy.

I definitely got accommodations, including being allowed to work

mostly at home and limiting driving (i.e. using emails to " have

meetings " or phone calls), *before* I had my muscle biopsy, but after

I had abnormal lactate/pyruvate tests. At my college, there is a

Disability Services coordinator, and she helped to get things done.

HTH...

Take care,

RH

> > hi all,

> > well, it is getting time to ask my present employer to make

resonable

> > accomodations under the ADA. any suggestions on how to go about

this?

> > should the fact that I am awaiting a diagnosis have any bearing?

do i

> > write a letter, meet with my bosses, what? how specific do i get?

> > what about changes (worsening) of my symptoms? any benefit you

can

> > give me from your past experience would be appreciated.

> > kent

> >

> > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements

contained herein are not necessarily those of the list moderators.

The author of this e mail is entirely responsible for its content.

List members are reminded of their responsibility to evaluate the

content of the postings and consult with their physicians regarding

changes in their own treatment.

> >

> > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who

sends one is automatically moderated or removed depending on the

severity of the attack.

> >

July 26, 2005

Dr. Welch cou;dn't get KU to put me on the waiting list for their MDA clinic

until he had " further research notes and all pertinent test results " . he hadn't

had the opportunity to get tests run that Cigna would pay for until I had the

stroke, seizure, heart attack situation and he had them use their fancy new

scanner that disects your brain someway to give results of specific findings.

Mine showed a recent stroke, recent seizure, two partially dormant brain tumors

and possible Mitochondrial findings. This was enough for the MDA Clinic at KU

to accept his referral they put me on their waiting list and will contact me and

Dr, Welch by phone and a confirmation by mail to be returned to them that I will

be there at the secified time and date. I guess this is progress t least, I'm

getting closer to something anyway. Goodnight and God Bless, Dolores

ohgminion rakshasis@...> wrote:Each state varies on whether they have

rules in addition to the