Individual Accommodation.
Return to Work.
Ergonomics Audit.
Job Matching and Job Analysis.
Assistive Technology Compatibility Testing.
Internet and Electronic Data Accessibility.

Accessible Workplaces

Job Accommodation is the practice of analyzing and modifying work environments and routines in order to allow persons with functional limitations to work to the best of their ability while ensuring that their work habits do not have worsening effects on their health and comfort.

A truly accessible workplace takes into account the needs of the individual employee, but also strives to remove systemic barriers for current and future employees and customers of your company. AVTA can assist your organization address Equal Access and Employment Equity on an individual and a corporate level.

Individual Accommodations

Everyone needs the proper tools to do their job well. Accommodating an employee with a disability is all about finding the proper tools and processes. The first step is to ask the employee what tools they feel they need and to identify areas in their job where they feel accommodations might help.

Since every person is different with regards to both their functional abilities and the duties they perform in the course of their job, every accommodation must be unique. It is the job of the accommodations expert to carefully assess what modifications or training would assist each person to be productive in their particular situation. While the scope of accommodation is unique, many of the solutions will draw upon standard off-the-shelf hardware and software and proven accommodation strategies.

AVTA's assessment follows a client-centered approach, focusing on the abilities of the individual employee. Together we will work to ensure that the impact a disability has on job performance is minimized. Appropriate accommodations take into account the productivity and equity goals of both employer and employee.

Accommodation Process:

Functional abilities evaluation

Through discussions with the employee we will analyze the impact functional abilities have on meeting job demands and completing critical tasks.

Job task analysis

Identify the critical job tasks and performance criteria. A comprehensive analysis must also take into account the work environment including physical layout, personal supports, equipment and interpersonal relations and attitudes.

Assistive technology equipment trials

The employee will have hands-on trials of various assistive technologies to ensure informed decision making. This can include:

Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition
Zoomtext or other screen magnification software
JAWS or other screenreaders
Reading systems such as the Kurzweil 1000 or Kurzweil 3000
Video Magnification systems (CCTV's)
Various mice and other pointing devices

Technical Needs & Compatibility Analysis

AVTA's Professional Engineer will work with your IT personnel to test compatibility with your corporate computing environment. Where necessary AVTA will customize assistive devices to work with in-house applications and ensure a seamless integration.

Ergonomic Evaluation

Our ergonomics and workplace accommodation consultant will address ergonomic issues as part of the complete accommodation. This may include:

trials of chairs and ergonomic accessories
redesign of workstation
reorganization of workstation and workflow
education in body mechanics

Written Report

A written report that outlines activities, supporting rationale for recommendations and a complete list of equipment recommendations, suppliers and prices will be provided.

Accommodations Implementation and Training

A successful accommodation is possible only if the accommodations are implemented in a timely manner and are integrated into the every day tasks of the employee. This may involve training on assistive technology, customizing hardware and software to suit the specific job tasks and integrating these new processes into the natural work flow. This is an evolving process.

Return to Work Planning and Implementation

Ensuring a successful return to work after an employee has been on short term or long term disability requires some planning. Quite often the criteria identified for a return to work process is vague and lumped under the term "modified duties". AVTA can assist in preparing an Individualized Return to Work Plan, ensure that appropriate accommodations are in place and manage the return to work process.

Evaluate employee's functional abilities
Perform physical demands analysis of existing or potential job
Identify specific job modifications, including assistive devices and ergonomic equipment
Prepare a return to work plan, i.e. gradual return, supported return, part / full time, training, etc.
Provide support and direction in the return to work process.

Ergonomics Audit

Do some employees complain of discomfort or pain?

Are some employees "restless" or less productive than might be expected of them?

Is absenteeism a problem?

Are disability claims through health benefit plans high and on the increase?

If the answer to any or all of the above is yes it may be beneficial to consider a General Ergonomics Audit. AVTA can

perform a general ergonomics audit of the office
adjust individual workstations of all employees or employees at risk
recommend specific office chairs, workstation and accessories and customize where necessary.

Click here for more details on Ergonomics

Job Matching and Job Analysis

Meeting employment equity goals is a priority.

The "best-practice" is to ensure that a good match exists between the employee and the job. This can be done using traditional human resource practices. Placing someone with a disability in your organization sometimes requires additional information and tools to ensure a good match.

During the hiring process AVTA can assist you to determine the types of accommodations a potential employee might require and ensure that those accommodations are implemented in a timely and effective manner once you've hired the person.

In your recruitment process we can help you to analyze given positions within your organization to determine general accommodations that might enable a person with a disability to meet the job demands.

Assistive Technology Compatibility Testing

Is your workplace technology accessible?

What would it take to make the technology accessible?

What are the implications for hiring and retaining employees with a disability?

Most employers do not know the answer to these questions. Assistive Devices such as voice recognition, large print or screenreaders can allow an employee or potential employee to use a computer productively and independently. These assistive devices are designed to work with standard hardware and software platforms. However, most workplaces have custom designed software that is particularly suited to that workplace.

AVTA can help:

Review the software applications to determine accessibility
Compatibility testing with assistive devices e.g. Naturally Speaking, Zoomtext and JAWS
Make recommendations to internal software development teams on how to incorporate accessibility into original design
Customize the assistive technology to work within your hardware / software environment

Internet and Electronic Data Accessibility

Is your Intranet accessible to employees using assistive technology?

Is your company's Website accessible to customers using assistive technology?

Are your on-line and downloadable forms accessible to all computer users?

AVTA can help you:

Determine whether your site is accessible and in compliance with the W3C WCAG accessibility standards
Develop accessibility guidelines for software development



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	Individual Accommodation. Return to Work. Ergonomics Audit. Job Matching and Job Analysis. Assistive Technology Compatibility Testing. Internet and Electronic Data Accessibility.
Accessible Workplaces Job Accommodation is the practice of analyzing and modifying work environments and routines in order to allow persons with functional limitations to work to the best of their ability while ensuring that their work habits do not have worsening effects on their health and comfort. A truly accessible workplace takes into account the needs of the individual employee, but also strives to remove systemic barriers for current and future employees and customers of your company. AVTA can assist your organization address Equal Access and Employment Equity on an individual and a corporate level. Individual Accommodations Everyone needs the proper tools to do their job well. Accommodating an employee with a disability is all about finding the proper tools and processes. The first step is to ask the employee what tools they feel they need and to identify areas in their job where they feel accommodations might help. Since every person is different with regards to both their functional abilities and the duties they perform in the course of their job, every accommodation must be unique. It is the job of the accommodations expert to carefully assess what modifications or training would assist each person to be productive in their particular situation. While the scope of accommodation is unique, many of the solutions will draw upon standard off-the-shelf hardware and software and proven accommodation strategies. AVTA's assessment follows a client-centered approach, focusing on the abilities of the individual employee. Together we will work to ensure that the impact a disability has on job performance is minimized. Appropriate accommodations take into account the productivity and equity goals of both employer and employee. Accommodation Process: Functional abilities evaluation Through discussions with the employee we will analyze the impact functional abilities have on meeting job demands and completing critical tasks. Job task analysis Identify the critical job tasks and performance criteria. A comprehensive analysis must also take into account the work environment including physical layout, personal supports, equipment and interpersonal relations and attitudes. Assistive technology equipment trials The employee will have hands-on trials of various assistive technologies to ensure informed decision making. This can include: Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition Zoomtext or other screen magnification software JAWS or other screenreaders Reading systems such as the Kurzweil 1000 or Kurzweil 3000 Video Magnification systems (CCTV's) Various mice and other pointing devices Technical Needs & Compatibility Analysis AVTA's Professional Engineer will work with your IT personnel to test compatibility with your corporate computing environment. Where necessary AVTA will customize assistive devices to work with in-house applications and ensure a seamless integration. Ergonomic Evaluation Our ergonomics and workplace accommodation consultant will address ergonomic issues as part of the complete accommodation. This may include: trials of chairs and ergonomic accessories redesign of workstation reorganization of workstation and workflow education in body mechanics Written Report A written report that outlines activities, supporting rationale for recommendations and a complete list of equipment recommendations, suppliers and prices will be provided. Accommodations Implementation and Training A successful accommodation is possible only if the accommodations are implemented in a timely manner and are integrated into the every day tasks of the employee. This may involve training on assistive technology, customizing hardware and software to suit the specific job tasks and integrating these new processes into the natural work flow. This is an evolving process. Return to Work Planning and Implementation Ensuring a successful return to work after an employee has been on short term or long term disability requires some planning. Quite often the criteria identified for a return to work process is vague and lumped under the term "modified duties". AVTA can assist in preparing an Individualized Return to Work Plan, ensure that appropriate accommodations are in place and manage the return to work process. Evaluate employee's functional abilities Perform physical demands analysis of existing or potential job Identify specific job modifications, including assistive devices and ergonomic equipment Prepare a return to work plan, i.e. gradual return, supported return, part / full time, training, etc. Provide support and direction in the return to work process. Ergonomics Audit Do some employees complain of discomfort or pain? Are some employees "restless" or less productive than might be expected of them? Is absenteeism a problem? Are disability claims through health benefit plans high and on the increase? If the answer to any or all of the above is yes it may be beneficial to consider a General Ergonomics Audit. AVTA can perform a general ergonomics audit of the office adjust individual workstations of all employees or employees at risk recommend specific office chairs, workstation and accessories and customize where necessary. Click here for more details on Ergonomics Job Matching and Job Analysis Meeting employment equity goals is a priority. The "best-practice" is to ensure that a good match exists between the employee and the job. This can be done using traditional human resource practices. Placing someone with a disability in your organization sometimes requires additional information and tools to ensure a good match. During the hiring process AVTA can assist you to determine the types of accommodations a potential employee might require and ensure that those accommodations are implemented in a timely and effective manner once you've hired the person. In your recruitment process we can help you to analyze given positions within your organization to determine general accommodations that might enable a person with a disability to meet the job demands. Assistive Technology Compatibility Testing Is your workplace technology accessible? What would it take to make the technology accessible? What are the implications for hiring and retaining employees with a disability? Most employers do not know the answer to these questions. Assistive Devices such as voice recognition, large print or screenreaders can allow an employee or potential employee to use a computer productively and independently. These assistive devices are designed to work with standard hardware and software platforms. However, most workplaces have custom designed software that is particularly suited to that workplace. AVTA can help: Review the software applications to determine accessibility Compatibility testing with assistive devices e.g. Naturally Speaking, Zoomtext and JAWS Make recommendations to internal software development teams on how to incorporate accessibility into original design Customize the assistive technology to work within your hardware / software environment Internet and Electronic Data Accessibility Is your Intranet accessible to employees using assistive technology? Is your company's Website accessible to customers using assistive technology? Are your on-line and downloadable forms accessible to all computer users? AVTA can help you: Determine whether your site is accessible and in compliance with the W3C WCAG accessibility standards Develop accessibility guidelines for software development