“Reasonable” Accommodations that may get approved in a workplace (or school)
(this is obviously limited by our specific disabilities and varies job to job, but based on what we’ve asked for and what we’re currently discussing with our work’s HR/disability department)
a) headphones or earbuds with music
(In school we used this for tests. We were sometimes asked to test separately (different room, different time) from other students because of this, but it almost always got approved even pre ADHD diagnosis. At work, this helps us prevent overstimulation and thus work more effectively & safely. There’s more hoops and paperwork for a workplace, but we work in fast food and they’re actually letting us proceed with paperwork and the hoops to jump through so we can do it. We do have to have a “medical provider” sign off on paperwork &/or an official note stating that they know we’re disabled and agree we need the accommodation, but our workplace includes therapists for that. We’ll probably still involve our psychiatrist for backup/support, but they mostly just care that a professional backs us up. At school it didn’t matter what kind, but we’re discussing what kinds of earbuds/headphones are allowed with works disability people because food safety protocol limits which kinds they allow.)
b) texting in instead of calling out sick
(We go mute when we’re honestly sick, either because sore throat happens first or because the stress and overstimulation that come with being sick makes us mute (¿autism? ¿ADHD? ¿sensory processing disorder? it’s something around there). Usually a workplace avoids this because some people might text in sick when they just don’t want to work or have fun plans, so the big thing here is validating that you won’t call in just because and you’re texting because you *can’t* talk when sick. You do want to stress can’t or they’ll demand you to do it anyway. So it’s possible to ask for the ability to text instead (using text capable phone numbers or a messaging app if your work has one), and discuss with management or go through the HR paperwork to have that.)
c) more frequent breaks / more breaks
(This is a big one for physical disability. We usually ask for this because asthma & POTS together can be a nightmare. They usually don’t want to let you sit while doing your job in fast food, but they may be willing to let you take more frequent breaks or more total (a ten minute break every two hours as an example). Usually they stick to the legal minimum, so you may have to do HR paperwork for this &/or have a doctor’s note about why you need this (injury or physical disability).)
(this one can better for ADHD/autism sometimes, or any dissociative disorder. the longer breaks usually get me out of Work Mode™ or give me too long to start dissociating. (I don’t always ask for this but it might work for you.) sometimes this just means breaking your 10min breaks into 5's, or breaking a 30 into two 15's or three 10's. it can also go with more breaks overall. it depends on your needs. this also usually requires a doctor’s note unfortunately.)
e) ability to take an Emergency Break™
(by this I mean an unscheduled break. In this case I’d need it for PTSD or a panic attack— the ability to step away (just nudge a manager or tap a code or have them know that sometimes you’ll have to duck out without communicating at the time) to let ourselves calm down. this could also be for physical disabilities where you may have an unpredictable episode, collapse, or a sudden/unpredictable need to use the bathroom or eat. usually managers get angry if you step away when you aren’t scheduled to do so, especially if there’s a lot of customers (peak period, rush, etc.).)
f) alternate communication methods
(we work in a kitchen environment. there are alerts for hot, cold, knife, blind corners, etc. as well as alerts when something runs out or is about to run out up front. we need to communicate (acknowledge or respond) with coworkers. but we go mute sometimes. so having a method like....three knocks means ‘working on it’, two knocks means ‘I heard you/acknowledged’, and four knocks means ‘I’ll do that now / I’ll start that now’. Or sign language (official language or one you work out between coworkers & managers; I haven’t learned ASL yet so I rely on signs most people will understand, like a hand drawn across my neck and then miming speaking (mouth movement with hand) to say ‘I can’t speak’/I’m mute), or hums/whistling/non word noises, or another method that works for you.)
g) ability to bring/have stuffed animals / comfort items or fidget toys
(this is obviously limited by what job you do. but when in school, we often did this to help us regulate. some jobs may allow this as well, especially with backup from a doctor, therapist, psychiatrist, or mix thereof. they might limit the size or type, but it’s worth investigating, if any fidgets or comfort items will help you concentrate or work easier or more effectively.)
This is a starter list, but it may be a good leaping off point or give you ideas for something you may not have considered or thought possible/worth asking for before. If this helps even one person get the accommodations they need, then it’s done its job. ☺💜
¡Please add on if you have any suggestions for your disabilities or any of the ones included here!
