JAN (The Job Accommodation Network) is a program dedicated to finding solutions for people with disabilities in the workplace. They are one of many services provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.
There are several ways JAN can help improve job efficiency. Consultants trained in specialized fields (such as rehabilitation counseling) work with employers to make their environments more accessible, educate people with disabilities about their rights, and help rehab professionals facilitate career placements for their clients, to name a few.
JAN also provides an electronic database called SOAR which offers suggestions for specific accommodations. For example, if I were to select the “Deaf or Hard of Hearing” category, I can then click on their “Accommodation Examples” to browse some situations and solutions. Here’s one that they provide:
Situation: An employee working in an office environment has hearing loss due to tinnitus and hyperacusis. She could not be around noise in the office environment for long periods of time.
Solution: The individual’s employer provided her with a private room to work in alone. This was reported to be very effective. Cost: $0.
SOAR is free to access on JAN’s website, and provides countless examples for various job accommodations.
Want to learn more? Visit the Job Accommodation Network website and discover numerous resources and support today!