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# JAN’S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES

**Job Accommodations for People with**

**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.  

The following is a quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be useful for employees with PD. 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.  

**Fine Motor:**

· Implement ergonomic workstation design, including arm supports

· Provide alternative computer access and keyguard

· Provide alternative telephone access 

· Provide writing and grip aids 

· Provide a page turner and a book holder 

· Provide a note taker

**Gross Motor:**

· Reduce walking or provide a scooter or other mobility aid 

· Provide parking close to the work-site 

· Provide an accessible entrance 

· Install automatic door openers

· Provide an accessible route of travel to other work areas used by the employee

· Move workstation close to other work areas, office equipment, and break rooms

# Fatigue/Weakness:

· Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress

· Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation

· Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time and work from home

· Make sure materials and equipment are within reach range

**Speech:**

· Provide speech amplification, speech enhancement, or other communication device 

· Use written communication, such as email or fax 

· Transfer to a position that does not require a lot of communication 

· Allow periodic rest breaks

**Medical Treatment Allowances:**

· Provide flexible schedules

· Provide flexible leave

· Allow a self-paced workload with flexible hours

· Allow employee to work from home

· Provide part-time work schedules

# Depression and Anxiety:

· Reduce distractions in work environment 

· Provide to-do lists and written instructions 

· Remind employee of important deadlines and meetings 

· Allow time off for counseling 

· Provide clear expectations of responsibilities and consequences 

· Provide sensitivity training to co-workers 

· Allow breaks to use stress management techniques 

· Develop strategies to deal with work problems before they arise 

· Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others for support 

· Provide information on counseling and employee assistance programs

**Cognitive Impairment:**

· Provide written job instructions when possible 

· Prioritize job assignments 

· Allow flexible work hours 

· Allow periodic rest breaks to reorient 

· Provide memory aids, such as schedulers or organizers 

· Minimize distractions 

· Allow a self-paced workload 

· Reduce job stress 

· Provide more structure

**Activities of Daily Living:**

· Allow use of a personal attendant at work

· Allow use of a service animal at work

· Make sure the facility is accessible

· Move workstation closer to the restroom

· Allow longer breaks

· Refer to appropriate community services

**Resources Specifically for People with Parkinson’s Disease**

**American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc.**

135 Parkinson Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10305

Toll Free: (800)223-2732

Direct: (718)981-8001

apda@apdaparkinson.org

http://www.apdaparkinson.com

**Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research**

Church Street Station

P.O. Box 780

Grand Rapids, MN 10008-0780

Toll Free: (800)708-7644

http://www.michaeljfox.org

**National Parkinson Foundation**

1501 NW 9th Avenue

Bob Hope Road

Miami, FL 33136-1494

Toll Free: (800)327-4545

Direct: (305)243-6666

contact@parkinson.org

http://www.parkinson.org

**Parkinson's Institute, The**

675 Almanor Avenue

Sunnyvale, CA 94085-2935

Toll Free: (800)655-2273

Direct: (408)734-2800

info@thepi.org

http:// www.thepi.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.

Fact Sheet Series

Job Accommodations for People with Parkinson’s Disease