Health Care Workers and the Americans with Disabilities Act

What does the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have to say about Health Care Workers and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

You can read the EEOC’s Questions and Answers about Health Care Workers and the Americans with Disabilities Act here. You'll find answers to common questions like:

• When is a health care worker an individual with a disability under the ADA?
• Are health care applicants or employees who are alcoholics or who engage in illegal drug use considered to have a disability under the ADA?
• What determines if a health care worker is “qualified” to perform a job within the meaning of the ADA?
• What is a request for accommodation, and what should an employer and an individual with a disability do after a request for accommodation has been made?
• Will an employer’s “light duty” program satisfy its obligation to make reasonable accommodations under the ADA?
• and more

Health care is the largest industry in the American economy, and has a high incidence of occupational injury and illness. The ADA protects a qualified individual with a disability from disparate treatment or harassment based on disability, and also provides that, absent undue hardship, a qualified individual with a disability is entitled to reasonable accommodation to perform, or apply for, a job or to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment. The ADA also includes rules regarding when, and to what extent, employers may seek medical information from applicants or employees. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the employment provisions of the ADA. Most states also have their own laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of disability. Some of these laws may apply to smaller employers and provide protections in addition to those available under the ADA.

Work Incentive Seminar Events (WISE) webinar on Dec 5

Work Incentive Seminar Event Information:

Title: 12/5/12: Exploring Community Service as a Pathway to Employment: A Webinar for Social Security Disability Beneficiaries
Date: 12/05/2012
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Eastern
Contact: Ticket to Work Call Center
Email: support@chooseworkttw.net
Phone: 1-866-968-7842
TTY/TDD: 1-866-833-2967

Register for this webinar here.

Working While Disabled

Special rules make it possible for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly payments.

Don't miss the US Social Security Administration publication titled, "Working While Disabled." There are four main sections:

1. Disability Benefits
2. Disability Rules
3. Supplemental Security Income
4. Contacting Social Security

Read the articles here.

Invisible Disabilities Association

The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) encourages, educates and connects people and organizations touched by illness, pain and disability around the globe. Formerly known as The Invisible Disabilities Advocate, IDA was founded in 1997 and incorporated in 2004 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. IDA reaches out to tens of thousands of people each month living with various conditions, as well as their loved ones. Learn more about the Invisible Disabilities Association here:  http://www.invisibledisabilities.org

What doctors with disabilities need from the public

It isn't very often that we hear of doctors and other medical professionals with disabilities, who are still in practice - but they do exist. This isn't some myth meant to scare you as a patient, but to enlighten you that, just like many other disabled people, medical professionals are subject to the same challenging lots in life. Be it disabilities that stem from birth, or the result of diseases or accidents incurred during the course of their lives, doctors with disabilities are productive, contributing members of society. As far as the practice of medicine is concerned, many disabled doctors are still very much able to provide the services that the general public needs. Not without significant struggle both personally and socially, this is a Herculean task, but one that is still necessary. The quality of the service provided by this medical workforce is by no means subpar. They are qualified, experienced and very much enthused to help take care of an infirmed public. But what do these doctors need from us? As the general public, what can we do to facilitate them, so that they can facilitate us in return? Here are a few things we can do to make the tasks of disabled medical practitioners run more smoothly:

1. There needs to be greater sensitivity training in medical establishments, so that staff can interact professionally with associates who are disabled. This training must start from top to bottom, and must encompass human resource and psycho-cultural elements. Staff must be able to work for, and with their professional associates who are disabled, without any incidents of disrespect or insubordination.
2. In workplaces, there must be facilities and databases set up, so that disabled medical personnel can network with each other. While we will grow to understand and appreciate their challenges, there is fraternity in support groups that is very necessary.
3. Disabled doctors have the same medical and health needs, like every other member of society. Just like you, they'll shop at Medix Select, they'll visit their own doctors and they require insurance. Additionally, the premises that they work on, must be fully accessible. Because medical staff make up what is known as essential services, it is important that properties can facilitate any special equipment or requirements that they have.
4. Employers and administrative bodies need to familiarize themselves with disability discrimination legislation. Any form of discrimination is reprehensible, but there are specific terms and conditions to protect, empower and facilitate the disabled, and these cover medical practitioners as well. We must make sure that our organizations act in compliance with these laws, so that equal opportunities are always realized. 

Doctors, nurses and medical students who are disabled, are all part of the global community. They pay taxes and contribute to the growth and wellness of our society every day. Even at a domestic level, we must ensure that we do all we can to incorporate, and to facilitate their jobs. The same way in which enabled persons don't want to be discriminated against or neglected, they require the same opportunities and rights.