# 

# JAN’S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES

**Job Accommodations for People with Vertigo**

Vertigo is the sensation of spinning, whirling, or dizziness caused by a disturbance in balance.  Vertigo can be described as either subjective or objective.  An individual who experiences objective vertigo may feel like things in her environment are moving, while an individual with subjective vertigo feels as if she is moving.  Vertigo can be caused by Meniere’s Disease, viral infections, central nervous system disorders such as stroke, migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, head trauma, acoustic neuroma (tumor), cardiovascular disorders, and sharp changes in blood pressure.  Vertigo can impact a person’s ability to work.  Individuals with vertigo may be limited in activities such as getting out of bed; walking; traveling; working around moving objects, under bright or fluorescent lights, or at heights; climbing ladders; viewing a computer monitor; or working in an environment that has many colors or patterns (e.g., a patterned carpet).  Job accommodations should always meet the specific needs of the unique individual.  The following is a brief overview of some of the accommodations that might be useful for people with vertigo. 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.

**Accessibility and Transportation:**

· Provide parking close to the work-site 

· Provide a work environment that has solid colored carpeting and walls instead of patterns and multiple colors

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

· Allow a flexible schedule to use public transportation to and from work

· Reduce or eliminate travel on the job when not essential to the position

· Allow the use of public transportation for local work-related travel, or provide a driver when reasonable

**Attendance:**

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

· Allow the employee to work a modified or part-time schedule 

· Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation and provide a place where the individual can lie down

· Allow work from home

**Lighting:**

· Provide an alternative to fluorescent lighting (e.g., task lighting or broad spectrum)

**Computer Use:**

· Reduce computer use

· Provide a flicker-free or flat panel monitor with a high refresh rate

· Provide screen reading software

**Medical Treatment Allowances:**

· Provide flexible schedules and/or flexible leave

· Allow a self-paced workload with flexible hours

· Allow work from home

· Provide part-time work schedules

# Stress: 

# · Reduce stress on the job (e.g., remove marginal job functions or restructure when or how essential functions are performed)

# · Develop strategies to deal with work problems before they arise 

# · Provide sensitivity training to coworkers

· Develop a plan of action that outlines how to respond if the employee becomes severely dizzy while working

# · Provide information on counseling and employee assistance programs 

**Resources for People with Vertigo**

**National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders**

National Institutes of Health

31 Center Drive, MSC 2320

Bethesda, MD  20892-2320

Toll Free: (800)241-1044

TTY: (800)241-1055 

nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/balance/balance_disorders.asp

**Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA)**

P.O. Box 13305

Portland, OR  97213-0305

Direct: 503-229-7705

24 Hour /Voice Mail: 800-837-8428

http://www.vestibular.org

**Neurology Channel by Healthcommunities.com**

136 West Street 

Northampton, MA 01060

Toll Free: (888)950-0808 

Direct: (413)587-0244

http://www.neurologychannel.com/vertigo/ 

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 Vertigo