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# JAN’S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES

**Job Accommodations for People**

**with Amputations**

Amputation means loss or absence of all or part of a limb. According to the National Limb Loss Information Center, there were 1,285,000 persons in the United States living with the limb loss (excluding fingers and toes) in 1996. The prevalence rate in 1996 was 4.9 per 1,000 persons. The incidence rate was 46.2 per 100,000 persons with dysvascular disease, 5.86 per 100,000 persons secondary to trauma, 0.35 per 100,000 secondary to malignancy of a bone or joint. The birth prevalence of congenital limb deficiency in 1996 was 25.64 per 100,000 live births. The prevalence rate is highest among people aged 65 years and older – about 19.4 per 1,000. Although congenital amputation rates have remained consistent for several decades, dysvascular amputations have increased significantly. Dysvascular refers to limb loss associated with vascular conditions, mainly diabetes. Traumas resulting in limb loss or cancer have been decreasing, however, war related injuries will change that trend.

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

**Gross Motor Impairment:**

· Modify the work-site to make it accessible

· Provide parking close to the work-site

· Provide an accessible entrance

· Install automatic door openers

· Provide an accessible restroom and break room

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

· Modify the workstation to make it accessible

· Adjust desk height if wheelchair or scooter is used

· Make sure materials and equipment are within reach range

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

**Fine Motor Impairment:**

· Implement ergonomic workstation design

· Provide alternative computer and telephone access

· Provide sensitivity training to coworkers and supervisors

**Upper Extremity Amputations (finger, hand, or arm):**

· Keyboard/data entry**—**One-handed keyboards, typing tutorials for one-hand or missing digits, speech recognition software, large-key keyboards, foot mouse, touch pads, trackballs, and head pointing systems

· Writing—Grip aids-writing cuffs, action arm orthotic devices, recoding devices for note taking, note-takers, and clipboards

· Telephone use—Speaker-phones, telephones with programmable number storage, phone holders, and telephone headsets

· Tool use—Grasping cuffs, grasping orthoses, ergonomically designed tools, vibration dampening tool wraps and gloves, vises, positioners, foot controls, pistol grip attachments, and digital distance measuring devices

· Lifting items—Portable material lift equipment, tailgate lifts, hoists and lift-tables

· Carrying items—Lightweight carts, shoulder bags, and powered carts or scooters with carrying baskets

· Filing papers—lateral files, carousel-rotary files, reduce the number of files per drawer, and rulers as pry-bars

· House-keeping/cleaning—Lightweight vacuum cleaners, back-pack vacs, long-handed cleaning aids, and grasping cuffs

· Driving—Steering knobs, power assisted steering, grip gloves, steering wheel covers, and remote controlled engine starters

**Lower Extremity Amputations (toe, foot, or leg):**

· Climbing**—**Stair-lifts, wheelchair platform lifts, climbing wheelchairs, rolling safety ladders with handrails, work platforms, and hydraulic personnel lifts

· Standing—Sit/stand stools, stand supports, task stools, anti-fatigue matting, and rest breaks

· Lifting/carrying—Material handling lifts, cranes, hoists, powered carts/scooters, hydraulic lift carts, lift-tables, lightweight carts with large wheels, and tailgate lifts

· Driving—Hand controls, automatic clutching systems, left-foot gas pedals, automatic transmissions, and designated parking

· Walking—Canes, crutches, rolling walkers with seats, wheelchairs, and powered wheelchairs/scooters

**Glossary of Commonly Used Terms:**

· AK—Above the knee

· BK—Below the knee

· Bilateral—Both legs, feet, arms, or hands

· Congenital—born without limbs or digits

· Myoelectrics—Upper extremity prostheses powered electrically

· Orthosis—A device used to stabilize/support a body part

· Prosthesis—A device used to replace a body part

· Socket—The portion of the prosthrsis that fits over the remaining limb or stump

· Terminals—Hand terminals (hooks) that are controlled by the wearer

**Resources Specifically for People with Amputations**

**Amputee Coalition of America**

900 East Hill Avenue, Suite 205

Knoxville, TN 37915-2566

Toll Free: (888) AMP-KNOW (888) 267-5669

Direct: (865) 524-8772

TTY: (865) 525-4512 

Fax: (865) 525-7917 

http://amputee-coalition.org

**Amputee Online.Com**

http://amputee-online.com/amputee/

**Limbs for Life Foundation**

5929 N. May, Suite 511 

Oklahoma City, OK 73112 

Toll Free: (888) 235-5462 

Direct: (405) 843-5174 

Fax: (405) 843-5123 

admin@limbsforlife.org

http://www.limbsforlife.org  

**National Amputation Foundation**

40 Church Street  

Malverne, NY 11565  

Phone: (516) 887-3600 

Fax: (516) 887-3667 

amps76@aol.com 

http://www.nationalamputation.org/

**National Limb Loss Information Center**

900 East Hill Ave. Suite 285 

Knoxville, TN 37909 

888-267-5669 

http://www.amputee-coalition.org

Updated 3/22/10. 

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.

Job Accommodations for People with Amputations

Fact Sheet Series