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Full Version: SPD and ADA... accommodation at work?
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I am just so upset. i landed a great job with the National Parks Service, a job that I absolutely LOVE. But, I absolutely cannot cannot cannot CANNOT tolerate the uniform! I am at a loss of what to do, calling in sick tomorrow less than a week in... it's so bad that I literally can't stand the thought of it. If I could wear my own pants, I would be okay.. I LOVE the job, but it's killing me!

Has anyone asked for accommodations for spd under the americans with disabilities act? I am just so so so so so upset Huh
I have tried to ask for SPD accommodations under the ADA. However, unlike my other two disabilities, since SPD isn't in any of the insurance backed documents like the DSM my workplace didn't consider SPD real enough to bother accommodating problems related to it.

You can try talking to your boss about how certain materials really irritate your skin and how sadly the current uniform is triggering that reaction. Ask if it is possible to pay to get a uniform made in a material you won't have a problem with. You will probably want to avoid mentioning SPD, just talk about it like an allergy or irritation.
Hmmm... according to the ADA regulations, a disability is not required to be backed by insurance documents:

To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.
http://www.ada.gov//pubs/adastatute08.htm#subchapterI

Here's Another Useful Resource:
http://askjan.org/links/ADAtam1.html#II

Anyway, I suppose calling it an allergy or something is one way that might go over smoother. I will choose though, to stand up for those with SPD! The more we let others know about it, the more recognized it will become, and the more readily it will be accommodated. To not accommodate the simple modifications that people with SPD need, is heartless and wrong. If my employers are not willing to help me out, I'm going to make sure that SPD gets some serious press!!!!! Anyway, I will be talking to people about this tomorrow, and I'll report on how it goes!
Just curious as to what happened?
(04-29-2012, 04:58 AM)Marci W Wrote: [ -> ]I am just so upset. i landed a great job with the National Parks Service, a job that I absolutely LOVE. But, I absolutely cannot cannot cannot CANNOT tolerate the uniform! I am at a loss of what to do, calling in sick tomorrow less than a week in... it's so bad that I literally can't stand the thought of it. If I could wear my own pants, I would be okay.. I LOVE the job, but it's killing me!

Has anyone asked for accommodations for spd under the americans with disabilities act? I am just so so so so so upset Huh

I know the feeling! Wash, wash and wash ur uniform to get rid of the stiffness.
Have u tried a bigger size?