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# JAN’S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES

**Job Accommodations for People**

**with Disease of the Liver**

There are many medical conditions that can affect the liver, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver cancer, Sarcoidosis, and Wilson’s disease. Symptoms vary from person to person, but common symptoms include fatigue and weakness, abdominal swelling and pain, muscle spasms, joint pain, jaundice, chemical sensitivity, suppressed immune system, itchy skin, loss of appetite, nausea, and weight loss.

The following is a quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be useful for people with diseases of the liver.  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. 

**Fatigue and Weakness:**

· Flexible leave

· Modified schedule with periodic rest breaks

· Work from home

· Ergonomic workstation and/ or aids to decrease the physical demands of the job

· Reassignment to a less physically and medically demanding job

**Treatment Needs:**

· Flexible leave

· Modified schedule

· Work at home

**Suppressed Immune System:**

· Private office with its own ventilation

· Work at home

**Chemical Sensitivity:**

· Air purification

· Modified schedule with periodic rest breaks 

· Smoke and fragrance-free work environment

· Work from home

· Alternative pest management practice that will not require the use of chemicals

· Respirator 

**Abdominal Swelling and Pain:**

· Flexible leave 

· Modified schedule with rest breaks

· Work at home

**Muscle Spasms and Joint Pain:**

· Flexible leave

· Modified schedule with rest breaks

· Adjustable height workstation to allow for alternating sitting and standing

· Reassignment to less physically demanding job

**Resources Specifically for People with Disease of the Liver**

**American Liver Foundation**

75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603

New York, NY 10038

Toll Free: (800)465-4837

Direct: (212)668-1000

Fax: (212)483-8179

Phone: (800)443-7872

info@liverfoundation.org 

http://www.liverfoundation.org 

**Hepatitis Foundation International**

504 Blick Drive

Silver Spring, MD 20904

Toll Free: (800)891-0707

Direct: (301)622-4200

Fax: (301)622-4702

hfi@comcast.net

http://www.hepfi.org/

**National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse**

2 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892-3570

Toll Free: (800)891-5389

TTY: (800)569-1162

Fax: (703)738-4929

nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/

**United Network for Organ Sharing**

P.O. Box 2484

Richmond, VA 23218

Toll Free: (888)894-6361

Direct: (804)782-4800

Fax: (804)782-4817

http://www.unos.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 Disease of the Liver