Job Accommodation Network 

(800)526-7234 (V) 

(877)781-9403 (TTY) 

jan@askjan.org 

AskJAN.org 

JAN is a free consulting 

service designed to increase 

the employability of people 

with disabilities by: 1) 

providing individualized 

worksite accommodations 

solutions, 2) providing 

technical assistance 

regarding the Americans with 

Disabilities Act (ADA) and 

other disability related 

legislation, and 3) educating 

callers about selfemployment options. 

Accommodating Employees in Science, 

Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM) Fields 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, STEM 

fields have become increasingly central to United 

States' economic competitiveness and growth. 

There has been great effort to prepare an adequate 

supply of qualified workers for these fields. For 

new workers with disabilities, and as our working 

population ages, it is imperative to consider 

providing job accommodations to enhance the 

productivity of these valuable workers. 

JAN provides this publication as a way to share 

accommodation situations and solutions from 

STEM related jobs. For a more in depth 

discussion, access JAN's publications at 

AskJAN.org/media/atoz.htm. To discuss an 

accommodation situation with a consultant, contact 

JAN directly. 

An engineer with epilepsy had difficulty managing 

multiple tasks. JAN suggested color-coding ongoing projects, using wall charts to track progress, 

and prioritizing tasks for the employee. 

A field geologist who was deaf and worked alone 

in remote areas was unable to use two-way radio 

communication to report his findings. Text 

telephone technology was used to allow the 

geologist to communicate using a cell phone. 

A drafting engineer had third degree burns to 

80% of his body. He was limited in sitting for 

extended periods. JAN provided him information on 

sit/stand workstations. 

A service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy 
A chemistry professor used a wheelchair. The existing chemistry lab was designed to 

accommodate students at a standing height. The college could not remodel the entire lab so 

purchased an elevating wheelchair. 

A pharmacist was having difficulty standing for eight hours a day on a tile floor. This 

employee was responsible for filling prescriptions for medication. The work area was 

carpeted using extra padding, which assisted in reducing fatigue, and a sit/stand/lean stool 

was purchased to assist the employee when standing. The employee was also permitted to 

take frequent rest breaks throughout the day. This was possible because the employee 

reduced his lunch hour to 30 minutes, which provided him with 30 minutes that could be used 

at other times of the day whenever a break was needed. Also, another pharmacist was 

available to cover his breaks. 

A researcher in a technology company had expressive writing disorder. The employee’s job 

tasks included gathering information for written reports. To accommodate this employee, 

software was provided to help the employee organize, prioritize, and then outline the 

information for reports. The employer also provided a hard copy dictionary and thesaurus. 

An engineer with muscular dystrophy had difficulty grasping frequently used files. He was 

accommodated with a desktop carousel. 

A drafter with arthritis in his knees was having difficulty accessing his work-site. He was 

accommodated with a reserved parking space close to the building, a first floor office, and 

push pad activated power doors. 

A chemical process plant worker was limited in his ability to turn large wheel valves due to 

a back injury. The worker was accommodated with a specialty tool designed to decrease 

torque on wheel valve handles. 

An engineer working for a large industrial company had to undergo radiation treatment for 

cancer during working hours. She was provided a flexible schedule to attend therapy and 

also to continue to work full-time. 

A computer programmer experienced migraines that were triggered by the noise level in 

his cubicle and the overhead fluorescent lighting. As an accommodation, his employer 

provided him with a noise canceling headset, disabled the fluorescent light above his cubicle, 

and provided natural task lighting. 

An engineer with multiple sclerosis was experiencing heat sensitivity. She was provided a 

private office where the temperature could be lower than in the rest of the facility. She was 

also encouraged to communicate with coworkers by telephone or email when possible to 

reduce the amount of walking she had to do. 

A physician with muscular dystrophy was having problems getting up from a seated position 

after consulting with patients. The individual was accommodated with a lift cushion for his 

chair.