Center for Personal Assistance Services University of California, San Francisco  
Jump over persistant main navigation to the sub navigationHome (press control H in some browsers)Formal and Informal PAS (press control F in some browsers)Home and Community PAS (press control C in some browsers)PAS Workforce (press control W in some browsers)Workplace PAS (press control O in some browsers)PAS Users (press control U in some browsers)  
Jump over the changing sub navigation to the changing body navigation





Jump over the changing body navigation to the persistant top navigation

Printer-friendly page

Library > View Abstract and Obtain Full Version

Stoddard, S. (2006). Personal assistance services as a workplace accommodation. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, 27(4), 363-369.

Abstract

This paper describes current US trends and practices regarding workplace personal assistance services (PAS) as part of available work accommodation options. Workplace PAS include task-related assistance at work, 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 using the rest room, eating, or drinking while at work. The results reported here are based on forty-one telephone interviews conducted in 2004, which included 20 workplace PAS users and 21 US employers familiar with workplace accommodations. Employers and consumers described a range of workplace personal assistance currently used. Barriers to expansion of workplace PAS include negative co-worker or supervisor attitude, cost to employers and workers, waiting time for accommodations, employee attitude and knowledge, and confusing terminology. Development of organizational culture that encourages employment of people with disabilities and developing employer-employee partnerships in arranging for accommodations can contribute to workplace PAS solutions. The survey findings contribute to better understanding of current practices related to workplace PAS.

Obtain the Full Version

Available for purchase at the web site below.

Published on the Web