In Triage Cancer's free Quick Guide to Managing Side Effects at Work, you'll learn about using assistive technologies; tools for decreased stamina/fatigue, executive functioning deficits, respiratory distress/breathing problems, temperature sensitivity; and more!
Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides protections in the workplace for individuals with disabilities, including giving eligible employees access to “reasonable accommodations.” Reasonable accommodations are “any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables an individual with a disability to participate in equal employment opportunities.” Reasonable accommodations can be changes in work space, work schedules, or policies, that help you continue to do your job, take time off work, or return to work. Reasonable accommodations can help you manage the side effects that you are experiencing, that may impact your ability to do your job effectively.
Remember that when thinking about possible accommodations that might work for you, that they have to still be “reasonable.” And, one accommodation might not address all of the challenges you are facing, so you may be able to request more than one accommodation. For more information about reasonable accommodations, read our Quick Guide to Reasonable Accommodations.
One form of a workplace reasonable accommodation is the use of “assistive technology.” There are different types of assistive technologies that could be helpful to deal with certain types of cancer-related side effects, such as fatigue, temperature sensitivity, and executive functioning deficits (commonly referred to as “chemo brain”). The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) describes possible accommodations that may help an employee with cancer manage side effects at work, including the use of assistive technologies. For descriptions and companies that provide these technologies, visit askjan.org/solutions.
These include cognitive abilities such as the ability to plan, organize and strategize, and pay attention to and remember details.
For more information, see the Quick Guide to Chemo Brain.
Appropriate accommodations can vary depending on the underlying condition (i.e. allergies, asthma, bronchitis, etc.), its severity, and the triggers that could heighten the respiratory issues.
Sensitivity can be to either a cold or hot work environment.
Last updated: 11/2022
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