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PARKINSON'S DISEASE

PersonWithParkisons.jpg

ABOUT PARKINSON'S DISEASE

 

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, slowly progressive neurological condition. PD can produce various symptoms such as resting tremors on one side of the body, slowness of movement, stiffness of limbs, gait or balance problems, small cramped handwriting, lack of arm swing, decreased facial expression, lowered voice volume, feelings of depression or anxiety, episodes of feeling "stuck in place" when initiating a step, slight foot drag, increase in dandruff or oily skin, and less frequent blinking and swallowing.

Multiple sclerosis is often characterized by a pattern of exacerbation and remission.

Parkinson's Disease and the RPD ACT 2016.

 

The RPWD Act does not contain a list of medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Instead, the RPWD Act has a general definition of disability that each person must meet. A person has a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having an impairment. For more information about how to determine whether a person has a disability under the RPwD ACT (please refer to RPwD act in this website)

 

Accommodating Students with Parkinson's Disease

 

People with Parkinson’s disease may develop some of the limitations discussed below, but seldom develop all of them. Also, the degree of limitation will vary among individuals. Be aware that not all people with Parkinson’s disease will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may only need a few accommodations. The following is only a sample of the possibilities available. Numerous other accommodation solutions may exist.

 

 

Questions to Consider:

 

  1. What limitations is the student experiencing?

  2. How do these limitations affect the student and the student’s job performance?

  3. What specific job tasks are problematic as a result of these limitations?

  4. What accommodations are available to reduce or eliminate these problems? Are all possible resources being used to determine possible accommodations?

  5. Has the student been consulted regarding possible accommodations?

  6. Once accommodations are in place, would it be useful to meet with the student to evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodations and to determine whether additional accommodations are needed?

  7. Do supervisory personnel and students need training?

Accommodations

Accommodation Ideas

By Limitation of Decreased Stamina / Fatigue

Fatigue

  • Accessories for Scooters

  • Aide/Assistant/Attendant

  • All-Terrain Scooters

  • Anti-fatigue Matting

  • Elevating Wheelchairs

  • Ergonomic and Pneumatic Tools

  • Ergonomic Assessments

  • Ergonomic Equipment

  • Examination and Procedures Chair

  • Flexible Schedule

  • Head Support for Wheelchairs

  • Job Restructuring

  • Low Task Chair

  • Mechanic's Seats and Creepers

  • Multi-Purpose Carts

  • Periodic Rest Breaks

  • Scooters

  • Stand-lean Stools

  • Stools for Cutting Hair

  • Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely

  • Walkers

  • Wearable Anti-fatigue Matting

  • Wheelchair Accessible Scales

  • Wheelchair Mounts

  • Wheelchairs

  • Worksite Redesign / Modified Workspace

By Limitation of Executive Functioning Deficits

Executive Functioning

  • Apps for Concentration

  • Apps for Memory

  • Checklists

  • Color Coded System

  • Cubicle Doors, Shields, and Shades

  • Environmental Sound Machines / Tinnitus Maskers / White Noise Machines

  • Extra Time

  • Flexible Schedule

  • Form Generating Software

  • Full Spectrum or Natural Lighting Products

  • Job Coaches

  • Job Restructuring

  • Marginal Functions

  • Memory Software

  • Modified Break Schedule

  • Noise Cancelling Earbuds

  • Noise Cancelling Headsets

  • On-site Mentoring

  • Recorded Directives, Messages, Materials

  • Reminders

  • Sound Absorption and Sound Proof Panels

  • Speech Recognition Software

  • Sun Boxes and Lights

  • Sun Simulating Desk Lamps

  • Timers and Watches

  • Wall Calendars and Planners

  • Written Instructions

By Limitation of Memory Loss

Memory Loss

  • Additional Training Time / Training Refreshers

  • Apps for Memory

  • Electronic Organizers

  • Job Coaches

  • Memory Software

  • Professional Organizers

  • Reminders 

  • Recorded Directives, Messages, Materials

  • Social Skill Builders

  • Support Person

  • Verbal Cues

  • Wall Calendars and Planners

  • Written Instructions

By Limitation of Mental Confusion

Mental Confusion

  • Electronic Organizers

  • Job Coaches

  • Marginal Functions

  • On-site Mentoring

  • PDAs, Note takers, and Laptops

  • Professional Organizers

  • Reminders

  • Social Skill Builders 

  • Supervisory Methods

  • Training Modifications

  • Written Instructions

By Limitation of Organizing / Planning / Prioritizing

Organizing

  • Applications (apps)

  • Apps for Organization/ Time Management

  • Color-coded Manuals, Outlines, and Maps

  • Electronic Organizers 

  • Ergonomic Equipment

  • Job Coaches

  • Job Restructuring

  • On-site Mentoring

  • Organization Software

  • Personal On-Site Paging Devices

  • Professional Organizers

  • Reminders

  • Supervisory Methods

  • Task Identification

  • Task Separation

  • Timers and Watches

  • Wall Calendars and Planners

  • Written Instructions

By Limitation of Overall Body Co-ordination:

ACCESSING COMPUTERS

Body Coordnation

  • Canes

  • Convex Mirrors

  • Ergonomic and Pneumatic Tools

  • Long-Handled Mirrors 

  • Personal Transportation and Mobility Products

  • Rollators and Rolling Walkers

  • Scooters

  • Telescoping Cameras

  • Walkers

  • Walkers with Seats

By Limitation of Overall Body Weakness / Strength

Body Weakness

Move Items/People

  • Animal Lift Tables

  • Battery Powered Lift Tables

  • Compact Material Handling

  • Lift Tables

  • Linen Carts

  • Multi-Purpose Carts

  • Patient Lifts (General)

Workspace Access

  • Adjustable and Ergonomic School Desks and Equipment

  • Anti-fatigue Matting

  • Elevating Wheelchairs

  • Ergonomic and Adjustable Office Chairs

  • Ergonomic Equipment

  • Foldable / Transport Wheelchairs

  • Forearm Supports

  • Grab Bars

  • Independent Living Aids

  • Large-Rated Scooters

  • Large-Rated Wheelchairs

  • Office Chairs with Brakes and Locking Casters

  • Personal Safety and Fall Alert Devices

  • Personal Transportation and Mobility Products

  • Power Assist for Manual Wheelchairs

  • Scooters

  • Stair Lifts

  • Stand-lean Stools

  • Stand-up Wheelchairs

  • Toileting Aids

  • Walkers

  • Walkers with Seats

  • Wearable Anti-fatigue Matting

  • Wheelchairs

  • Worksite Redesign / Modified Workspace

By Limitation of Spasm/Tic/Tremor/Blinking

Spask/TIC

  • Accessible Software for Webbing

  • Aide/Assistant/Attendant

  • Alternative Input Devices

  • Alternative Keyboards 

  • Alternative Mice

  • Alternative Mice - Limiting Tremors

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Device

  • Auto-dialers 

  • Book Holders

  • Breath and Mouth Controlled Alternative Computer Input Devices

  • Compact Material Handling

  • Door Knob Grips and Handles 

  • Eating Aids

  • Ergonomic and Pneumatic Tools

  • Ergonomic Equipment 

  • Expanded Keyboards

  • Extra Grip Gloves 

  • Forearm Supports

  • Grip Aids

  • Hands-free Telephones

  • Job Restructuring

  • Keyguards

  • Money Handling Products

  • On-Screen Keyboards

  • One-Handed Keyboards

  • Outgoing Voice Amplification - Telephone

  • Padded Edging 

  • Page Turners

  • Periodic Rest Breaks

  • Personal On-Site Paging Devices

  • Protective Eyewear

  • Scribe/Note taker

  • Speech Recognition Software

  • Switches

  • Tongue Touch Keyboards/Mice

  • Tool Balancers

  • Typing / Keyboarding Aids

  • Vacuum Lifts 

  • Vacuum Pickup Tools

  • Voice Amplification

  • Voice Recognition Memory Devices

  • Word Prediction/Completion and Macro Software

  • Writing Aids

By Limitation of Stress Intolerance

Stress Intolerance

  • Apps for Anxiety and Stress

  • Behaviour Modification Techniques

  • Counselling/Therapy

  • Environmental Sound Machines / Tinnitus Maskers / White Noise Machines

  • Flexible Schedule

  • Job Restructuring

  • Marginal Functions

  • Modified Break Schedule

  • Supervisory Methods

  • Support Animal

  • Support Person

By Limitation of Taking Medication

Taking Medication

  • Flexible Schedule

  • Medication Reminders

  • Policy Modification 

  • Rest Area/Private Space

  • Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely

By Limitation of Walking

Walking

  • Accessories for Scooters

  • Aide/Assistant/Attendant

  • All-Terrain Scooters

  • All-Terrain Wheelchairs

  • Anti-fatigue Matting

  • Boat Access

  • Ergonomic and Pneumatic Tools

  • Examination and Procedures Chair

  • Foldable / Transport Wheelchairs

  • Head Support for Wheelchairs

  • Large-Rated Scooters

  • Large-Rated Wheelchairs

  • Low Task Chair

  • Personal Transportation and Mobility Products 

  • Reclining Wheelchairs

  • Rollators and Rolling Walkers

  • Scooters

  • Scooters for Small Stature 

  • Stair Assists

  • Stools for Cutting Hair

  • Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely

  • Van Conversion

  • Walkers

  • Walkers for Tall Individuals

By Limitation of Unable to Work alone

Unable to work alone

  • Alerting Devices

  • Apps for Anxiety and Stress 

  • Apps for Memory

  • Behaviour Modification Techniques

  • Counselling/Therapy

  • Disability Awareness/Etiquette Training

  • Student Assistance Program

  • Flexible Schedule

  • Job Restructuring 

  • Plan of Action 

  • Supervisory Methods

  • Support Animal

  • Support Person

By Limitation of By Work-Related Function - Commute

WR Commute

  • Flexible Schedule

  • Ridesharing/Carpooling

  • Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely

  • Transportation Assistance

  • Van Conversion

  • Walkers

By Limitation of By Work-Related Function -
Off Site Access

ACCESSING COMPUTERS

Off Site

  • Accessible Vehicles

  • Accessories for Scooters 

  • All-Terrain Scooters

  • All-Terrain Wheelchairs

  • Examination and Procedures Chair

  • Flexible Schedule 

  • Head Support for Wheelchairs

  • Low Task Chair 

  • ​

  • Personal Transportation and Mobility Products

  • Scooters

  • Stair Assists 

  • Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely 

  • Transportation Assistance 

  • Van Conversion 

  • Wheelchair Accessible Scales 

  • Wheelchair Carts/Trailers 

  • Wheelchair Mounts

By Limitation of Work-Related Function -
Parking

WR Parking

  • Accessible Parking Space 

  • Flexible Schedule

  • Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely

  • Wheelchairs

By Limitation of Work-Related Function -
Safety Standards

WR Safety Std

  • Additional Training Time / Training Refreshers 

  • Aerial Lifts 

  • Alerting Devices 

  • Body Protection 

  • Break Reminder Software 

  • Custom Shoes 

  • Cut and Puncture Resistant Gloves and Sleeves 

  • Designated Responders 

  • Ergonomic Assessments 

  • Ergonomic Equipment

  • Fall Protection

  • Machine Guards and Shields 

  • Personal Safety and Fall Alert Devices

  • Plan of Action 

  • Rolling Safety Ladders

  • Stair Tread/Textured Tape

  • Task Rotation

  • Vehicle Rear Vision System 

  • Workplace Safety 

  • Established Routes of Travel for Heavy Equipment/Vehicles

By Limitation of Work-Related Function -Cognitive Function

WR Cognitive

  • Additional Training Time / Training Refreshers 

  • Aide/Assistant/Attendant

  • Color Coded System

  • Counting/Measuring Aids

  • Electronic Dictionaries

  • Electronic Organizers

  • Extra Time

  • Fractional, Decimal, Statistical, or Scientific Calculators

  • Job Coaches

  • Line Guides

  • Marginal Functions

  • Modified Break Schedule

  • On-site Mentoring

  • Personal On-Site Paging Devices

  • Professional Organizers

  • Reassignment

  • Reminders

  • Service Animal

  • Social Skill Builders

  • Support Person

  • Training Modifications

  • Uninterrupted Work Time

By Limitation of Work-Related Function -
Work Site Access

ACCESSING COMPUTERS

WR Work Site

  • Accessible Toilets and Toilet Seats

  • Accessories for Scooters

  • Adjustable Workstations for Industrial Settings

  • Adjustable Workstations for Office Settings

  • All-Terrain Scooters

  • Anti-fatigue Matting

  • Automatic Door Openers

  • Boat Access

  • Braille and/or ADA Signage

  • Door Knob Grips and Handles

  • Examination and Procedures Chair

  • Flexible Schedule

  • Head Support for Wheelchairs

  • High Visibility Floor Tape and Paint

  • Low Task Chair

  • Portable Ramps

  • Ramps

  • Scooters

  • Service Animal

  • Smart Locks/Keyless Entry Locks

  • Stair Assists

  • Stair Tread/Textured Tape

  • Support Animal

  • Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely

  • Van Conversion

  • Walkers

  • Wearable Anti-fatigue Matting

  • Wheelchair Accessible Scales

  • Wheelchair Carts/Trailers

  • Wheelchair Lifts

  • Wheelchair Mounts

  • Wheelchairs

  • Worksite Redesign / Modified Workspace

SITUATIONS AND SOLUTIONS:

  1. A teacher with Parkinson’s disease was having difficulty standing in front of the classroom to write on the board. The individual was accommodated with a scooter and a laptop and PC projector. She was then able to remain seated while using the computer and projector to display information to the class.

  2. A consultant with Parkinson’s disease was having difficulty getting to work on time. He was accommodated with flexible scheduling so he could use public transportation.

  3. A file clerk with Parkinson’s disease was having difficulty meeting the physical demands of the job, including walking between work areas, standing at filing cabinets, and carrying files. The individual was accommodated with a power scooter with a basket and a stand/lean stool.

  4. A supervisor with Parkinson’s disease was having difficulty managing fatigue. The employer provided a private rest area with a cot so the individual could take breaks throughout the day.

  5. A customer service representative with Parkinson’s disease was having difficulty manipulating his mouse, writing, standing to greet people, and communicating effectively. He was accommodated with a trackball, writing aid, stool with lift cushion, and speech amplification.

  6. A secretary with Parkinson’s disease and hand tremors was having difficulty using a keyboard, writing, manipulating manuals, and filing. She was accommodated with a keyguard, typing aid, page turner, and open files.

  7. A   technician   with   Parkinson’s   disease   was   having   difficulty concentrating. The student's supervisor provided written job instructions when possible and allowed the individual to have periodic rest breaks. In addition, she was moved to a corner cubical where distractions were minimized with strategically placed baffles. 

  8. An   engineer   with   Parkinson’s   disease   was   having   difficulty concentrating and communicating. The individual was accommodated with a quiet office free from distractions. In addition, her supervisor implemented a policy of scheduled interruptions with written reminders and assignments. The individual was also provided with a communication device.

  9. An office assistant with tremors and fatigue caused by Parkinson’s disease was having difficulty typing the number of words per minute required by her employer. The individual rearranged her workstation to reduce distractions and her employer offered flexible scheduling. Her word processing software was programmed with macros to reduce keystrokes and she was given speech recognition software.

Situations
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