Supporting Success Through Accommodation

Congratulations if you are neurodivergent or have neurodivergent staff on your team!

Accommodations are things that we find helpful to accomplish what is intended, and can be considered to increase success. Some may be helpful for you, while others may not. We find that everyone is unique and different solutions address different things for each of us. Please feel free to use what you find helpful.

Quality and strength-based information about neurodivergence– Psychoeducation about what it is, what helps, and what to help us thrive can be a game-changer!

Disability-affirming workplaces are workplaces that believe that diversity and differences in how we think, feel, behave, and relate to others are what make each person unique. Therefore, every person is equally worthy and valuable.

Noise

1. Noise Machine
2. Moving the desk/or office to a quieter area
3. Noise canceling headphones or earplugs
4. Use of earbuds or headphones to play music
5. Sound Absorbing paneling or cubicle barriers

Coworkers

1. Keeping the office door closed, with the addition of a sign which invites others to contact you an alternative way
2. Planning for communication- written (text, email) instead of phone calls
3. Scheduled focus hours each week, including in a different location or remote
4. Working in the office at less busy times
5. Disability-affirming training
6. Offering a way for employees to disclose their disability/difference that feels safe for them
7. Workplace mentor

Focus & time management

1. Use of labeled individual hard copy notebooks, with system for detailing action items and tracking follow-up
2. Larger, easy to read/use clocks
3. Digital meeting invitations digitally
4. Setting personal timers
5. Scheduling system with automatic syncing with calendars
6. Placing important deadlines as events on calendar (option to add w colleague or supervisor)
7. Understanding that being late or needing extensions is a symptom of disability
8. Notetaker, offering team notes
9. Flexible breaks
10. Extended time for due dates, with clear procedure to request
11. Templates given for proposals, notes, written documents
12. Utilize readings that have audiobooks, or software to read
13. Voice to text software- free in Microsoft Word
14. Have required questions read aloud

Memory

1. Having instructions and deadlines communicated via email or calendar invite
2. Writing notes and sending them after each meeting, including with clients and colleagues
3. Verbal debriefing after important meetings (notes afterwards, as well)
4. Streamled and clear procedures for communication (written out) – how do we communicate, for what and to who for specific concerns
5. Viduals, including task flow charting
6. Verbal and written reminders, positive and strength-based

Staying Organized

1. Digital systems, with encouragement of personal system to complete immediately
2. Support with filing papers
3. Weekly or monthly booked filing, organization, tidying time
4. Physical organization products (filing cabinets, drawers, organizers)
5. Buddy system for difficult tasks
6. Professional Organizer to review space

Increasing Productivity

1. Working on a project with a colleague, job coach, or “task ”
2. Dual-monitors

3. Office layout, having things set up, organized
4. Check-box style or template progress notes
5. Clear requests for information/projects
6. Collaboration sessions when beginning a project and throughout process
7. Daily lunch break (30+ minutes)
8. Rest/quiet space
9. Emergency evacuation plan, safety planning (including individual)
10. Provide feedback on drafts, edit/suggestion function on google,
11. Utilization of small “fidget toys” or thinking putty throughout meetings and sessions with clients
12. Office Furniture Accommodations, including:
    1. Ergonomic Chair/Desk
    2. Standing Desk
    3. Exercise Ball
13. Modified break schedule
    1. Breaks during long meetings
    2. Invitation to move during meetings or trainings

Physical supports

1. Stand up desk
2. Any eating supports may be needed including utensils and cups, straws
3. Writing utensils . a foam rubber cylinder for grasping pens and pencils
4. Communication devices g. voice recording, speech to text, microphone on teacher
5. Slant board to present work
6. Adaptive mouse/keyboard as needed
7. Wheelchair-accessible desks
8. Adaptive toilet
9. Wheelchair tray for access to materials (i.e., laptop, keyboard)
10. Walkers, wheelchairs, and foot, ankle and leg brace

Making A Request

We can make an accommodation request at any time during employment, even if you did not disclose having a disability during the hiring process.

Please see organization policy to confirm if you need a doctor’s letter/note or need to provide additional details, like diagnosis.