Citation

Kraus, L. (2007, November 6). New promising practices in workplace personal assistance services. Presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting & Exposition hosted by American Public Health Association (APHA).

Summary

For many working-age people with a disability, the most important aspect of living independently is being able to work. But their right to work can be stymied by barriers that prevent working or returning to work, such as the need for personal assistance services (PAS) at work. Workplace PAS include task-related assistance, such as readers, interpreters, help with lifting or reaching, re-assignment of non-essential duties to co-workers, and other help related to performing work tasks and personal care-related assistance such as helping someone with toileting, eating, or drinking while at work.
Organizations, as well as PAS users, prevent the implementation of PAS in the workplace through:

• Lack of clear policies for workplace PAS
• Lack of preparation for employees with disabilities to use PAS in the workplace
• Concern about cost to employee or employer
• Concern about liability, especially for personal care
• Negative or hostile attitudes of co-workers or supervisors
• Extensive waiting times for accommodations
• Lack of a clear definition of what constitutes PAS