Cost and Effectiveness of Accommodations in the Workplace: Preliminary Results of a Nationwide Study
Abstract
This article provides a description and brief history of the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. Preliminary results from JAN's customer satisfaction survey are presented. At present, 778 employers and 882 individuals with disabilities have been interviewed. The findings to date indicate that a broad spectrum of business types use JAN's services. JAN customers reported that implementation of worksite accommodations would significantly reduce the individual's level of limitation due to the disability. Importantly, JAN customers reported having made highly effective accommodations at very little or no cost. Employers who were interviewed said slightly over half (50.5%) of the accommodations they implemented following discussion with JAN had been at no cost. For those employers who did experience some cost, the median dollar value was $600.
D.J. Hendricks, Linda C. Batiste and Anne Hirsh
Job Accommodation Network
West Virginia University
Helen A. Schartz
Law, Health Policy and Disability Center
University of Iowa College of Law
Peter Blanck
The Burton Blatt Institute - Syracuse University
Law, Health Policy & Disability Center - University of Iowa College of Law
D.J. Hendricks, Ed.D. is Associate Director of the International Center for Disability Information and Project Manager of the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) at West Virginia University. Linda C. Batiste, J.D. is Disability Law Specialist for JAN. Anne E. Hirsh, M.S. is Associate Project Manager of JAN. Helen A. Schartz, Ph.D., J.D. is Director of Research at the Law, Health Policy and Disability Center [LHPDC], University of Iowa College of Law. Peter Blanck Ph.D., J.D. is University Professor at Syracuse University, Chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute, and Director of the LHPDC. Contact author Dr. D.J. Hendricks at hendricks@jan.wvu.edu
This document was developed by the Job Accommodation Network and the Law, Health Policy, and Disability Center, funded by a contract from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (Contract #J-9-M-2-0022). The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Labor or the Federal Government. Nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Federal government.
