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About Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder named for the German physician Alois Alzheimer who first described it in 1906. Alzheimer’s disease damages and eventually destroys brain cells, leading to loss of memory, thinking, and other brain functions. Alzheimer's is not a part of normal aging, but results from a complex pattern of abnormal changes. It usually develops slowly and gradually gets worse as more brain cells wither and die. Alzheimer's is fatal, and currently there is no cure. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, a general term used to describe various diseases and conditions that damage brain cells. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease progress from mild forgetfulness to widespread brain impairment. Chemical and structural changes in the brain slowly destroy the ability to create, remember, learn, reason, and relate to others.
Early-stage Alzheimer’s is when the problems with memory, thinking, and concentration may begin to appear in a doctor’s interview or medical tests. Individuals in the early-stage typically need minimal assistance with simple daily routines. However, at the time of diagnosis, an individual is not necessarily in the early-stage of the disease. The term early-onset or younger-onset refers to Alzheimer’s that occurs in persons under the age of 65. Younger-onset individuals may be employed or have children still living at home. Early-onset Alzheimer's has been known to develop between ages 30 and 40, but it is more common for someone in his or her 50s to have the disease.
JAN's Accommodation Solutions: Executive Functioning Deficits is a publication detailing accommodations for individuals with limitations related to executive functioning. These ideas may be helpful in determining accommodations.
Alzheimer's Disease and the Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA does not contain a definitive list of medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Instead, the ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. For more information about how to determine whether a person has a disability under the ADA, see How to Determine Whether a Person Has a Disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).
Accommodating Employees with Alzheimer's Disease
People with Alzheimer’s disease may develop some of the limitations discussed below, but seldom develop all of them. Also, the degree of limitation will vary among individuals. Be aware that not all people with Alzheimer’s disease will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may only need a few accommodations. The following is only a sample of the possibilities available. Numerous other accommodation solutions may exist.
Questions to Consider:
- What limitations is the employee experiencing?
- How do these limitations affect the employee and the employee’s job performance?
- What specific job tasks are problematic as a result of these limitations?
- What accommodations are available to reduce or eliminate these problems? Are all possible resources being used to determine possible accommodations?
- Once accommodations are in place, would it be useful to meet with the employee to evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodations and to determine whether additional accommodations are needed?
- Do supervisory personnel and employees need training?
Helpful Hints for the Accommodation Process
Employee:
- Before your condition significantly affects your ability to effectively do your job, talk to your employer. A full conversation with your employer is vital for success.
- Familiarize yourself, your spouse, and/or caregiver with your benefits and contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), if available.
- Explore your rights under the ADA. Contact JAN for assistance.
- Encourage a support person or team, possibly a family member(s) familiar with the effects of the disease, to be part of the process.
Employer:
- A full conversation with the employee is vital for success. Keep an open mind about possible accommodations.
- With assistance from the employee’s doctor, determine how quickly the disease may progress. This will help in ascertaining the long-term accommodations that may need to be made. As the disease progresses, job-related tasks will likely become more difficult to perform. Providing accommodations so that the employee is able to continue working as long as possible may help to preserve an income and independence, as well as increase self-esteem.
- Encourage a support person or team, possibly a family member(s) familiar with the effects of the disease, to be part of the process.
- Monitor the employee’s performance to ensure the accommodations are effective. Some adjustments or changes in accommodations may be necessary. Keep in mind that a reassignment may become necessary in some situations.
Accommodation Ideas:
By Limitation
Executive Functioning Deficits
- Apps for Concentration
- Apps for Memory
- Calendars and Planners
- Checklists
- Color Coded System
- Cubicle Doors, Shields, and Shades
- Environmental Sound Machines / Tinnitus Maskers / White Noise Machines
- Extra Time
- Flexible Schedule
- Form Generating Software
- Full Spectrum or Natural Lighting Products
- Job Coaches
- Job Restructuring
- Marginal Functions
- Modified Break Schedule
- Noise Canceling Earbuds
- Noise Canceling Headsets
- On-site Mentoring
- Recorded Directives, Messages, Materials
- Reminders
- Sound Absorption and Sound Proof Panels
- Speech Recognition Software
- Sun Boxes and Lights
- Sun Simulating Desk Lamps
- Timers and Watches
- Written Instructions
Managing Time
- Applications (apps)
- Apps for Organization/ Time Management
- Calendars and Planners
- Checklists
- Color Coded System
- Electronic Organizers
- Marginal Functions
- PDAs, Notetakers, and Laptops
- Personal On-Site Paging Devices
- Reminders
- Task Separation
- Timers and Watches
- Written Instructions
Memory Loss
- Additional Training Time / Training Refreshers
- Apps for Memory
- Calendars and Planners
- Electronic Organizers
- Job Coaches
- Professional Organizers
- Recorded Directives, Messages, Materials
- Reminders
- Social Skill Builders
- Support Person
- Verbal Cues
- Visual Schedulers
- Written Instructions
Organizing/Planning/Prioritizing
- Applications (apps)
- Apps for Organization/ Time Management
- Calendars and Planners
- Color-coded Manuals, Outlines, and Maps
- Electronic Organizers
- Ergonomic Equipment
- Job Coaches
- Job Restructuring
- On-site Mentoring
- Organization Software
- Personal On-Site Paging Devices
- Professional Organizers
- Reminders
- Supervisory Methods
- Task Identification
- Task Separation
- Timers and Watches
- Visual Schedulers
- Written Instructions
By Work Related Function
Stress
- Apps for Anxiety and Stress
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Counseling/Therapy
- Environmental Sound Machines / Tinnitus Maskers / White Noise Machines
- Flexible Schedule
- Job Coaches
- Job Restructuring
- Marginal Functions
- Modified Break Schedule
- Monitor Mirrors
- Odor Control
- On-site Mentoring
- Service Animal
- Simulated Skylights and Windows
- Strobe Lights
- Supervisory Methods
- Support Animal
- Support Person
- Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely
- Uninterrupted Work Time
Use Cognitive Function
- Additional Training Time / Training Refreshers
- Aide/Assistant/Attendant
- Color Coded System
- Counting/Measuring Aids
- Electronic Dictionaries
- Electronic Organizers
- Extra Time
- Fractional, Decimal, Statistical, or Scientific Calculators
- Job Coaches
- Line Guides
- Marginal Functions
- Modified Break Schedule
- On-site Mentoring
- Personal On-Site Paging Devices
- Professional Organizers
- Reassignment
- Reminders
- Service Animal
- Social Skill Builders
- Support Person
- Training Modifications
- Uninterrupted Work Time
Situations and Solutions:
The following situations and solutions are real-life examples of accommodations that were made by JAN customers. Because accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis, these examples may not be effective for every workplace but give you an idea about the types of accommodations that are possible.

A finance manager with Alzheimer’s disease had difficulty learning new tasks and staying organized.
Her physician recommended disability retirement. Her employer took an integrated employment approach and carved out a position for her that had fewer responsibilities, but still allowed her to share her expertise with other employees.

Due to Alzheimer's disease, a project manager for an engineering firm was increasingly unable to keep track of and manage all of the individual components that were involved in the project.
After careful consideration, he spoke to his employer about the difficulties he was having and asked to be placed back into a team position where he would only be involved with one aspect of the project instead of coordinating the entire project. His employer agreed and as it was near to the end of the current project, felt that they could very easily do some restructuring and find a position for him on one of the teams.

A music teacher at a small high school was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s.
Through meeting with school administration and with help from her doctor, the teacher was able to remain in her position with increased support in the form of accommodations. With the help of a colleague, she was able to better organize her desk and files so that retrieval of information was much easier. Color-coding was used to help her better locate that information. She was also provided with a voice-activated recorder to help her remember verbal instructions and notes from meetings. At the current time, the accommodations were helping her keep her performance at a very high level.

A caller in his late forties contacted JAN to ask about job accommodations related to a recent diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s.
The major difficulty he had been having was a compromised ability to find his way around the city. He drove a truck making deliveries and thought a GPS (global positioning system) would help him with the different directions and enable him to navigate the drive to specific locations. With information from his medical provider to substantiate the need for the accommodation, the caller submitted his request.

A human resources manager at a large university had recently been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
The diagnosis came as no surprise to the employee, as he had been struggling for some time with working the long hours involved in managing the tasks. He found that he needed progressively more time to complete tasks and that the same tasks were becoming increasingly more complex. His inability to perform the essential functions of the position prompted him to ask for an accommodation. He requested leave under the ADA so that he could contact his EAP and determine what benefits were available to him.
JAN Publications & Articles Regarding Alzheimer's Disease
Publications
Consultants' Corner Articles
Related Disabilities
Articles
Blog Posts
Events Regarding Alzheimer's Disease
- Upcoming Events
- Past Recorded Module
- Past In-person Training
- Past Exhibit Booths
- Past Remote Monthly Series Training
Presenters:
- Linda Carter Batiste , Director of Services and Publications
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Alexis Popa , Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Anna Saab (she/her) , Employment Specialist
Presentations
Transcripts
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Low-Key AT: Less-Obvious Options for Entry-Level WorkersMarch 16, 2022
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Accessibility as a Key to InclusionJuly 25, 2022
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Transition and Workplace Accessibility: What’s New in 2023?February 2, 2023
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Together Again: AT for Travel and Inclusive EventsFebruary 3, 2023
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2023 CSUNMarch 17, 2023
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
Presentations
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
Presentations
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presentations
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Ergonomics for TeleworkersDecember 8, 2020
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ADA and Accommodation Lessons Learned: COVID-19 EditionMarch 9, 2021
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Service and Emotional Support Animals in the WorkplaceApril 13, 2021
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Q&A with the Cog/Psych Team: Challenging Mental Health ScenariosMay 11, 2021
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Accessibility & Accommodations: How Employers & HR Professionals Can Prepare for Emerging Tech in the WorkplaceMay 20, 2021
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Accommodating Public Safety Workers with DisabilitiesJune 8, 2021
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ADA UpdateJuly 13, 2021
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AT Update: What’s new in 2021August 10, 2021
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Ask JAN! Expert Q&AOctober 14, 2021
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Return to Work After COVID-19 – Focus on Mental Health and Cognitive LimitationsNovember 18, 2021
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Accommodation Solutions for Autoimmune DisordersDecember 9, 2021
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Next-Level Accommodation and ADA ChallengesJanuary 13, 2022
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ADA and Accommodation Lessons Learned: Stay at Work/Return to Work EditionFebruary 10, 2022
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Ergonomics for TeleworkersMarch 1, 2022
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Accommodation Solutions for Executive Functioning DeficitsMarch 17, 2022
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Accommodation Solutions for Gastrointestinal DisordersApril 14, 2022
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Accommodation and ADA Considerations: Reproductive Disorders and PregnancyMay 12, 2022
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Personal Use or Reasonable Accommodation: What’s What?June 9, 2022
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ADA UpdateJuly 14, 2022
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AT Update 2022August 11, 2022
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Accommodation Solutions for Sleep DisordersSeptember 22, 2022
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Building a Disability-Inclusive OrganizationOctober 13, 2022
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Providing Reasonable Accommodations to Veterans with DisabilitiesNovember 10, 2022
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Ask JAN! Q&AJanuary 12, 2023
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Supports and Services: Accommodations with a HeartbeatFebruary 9, 2023
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What You Should Know About the Impact of Long COVID in the WorkplaceMarch 9, 2023
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Accommodation Solutions for Neurodivergent WorkersApril 13, 2023
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Accommodation Solutions for Fine Motor LimitationsMay 11, 2023
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What to Do When Performance and Conduct Factor Into the Accommodation EquationJune 8, 2023
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ADA Update 2023July 13, 2023
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Assistive Technology (AT) Update: What’s New in 2023August 10, 2023
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Accommodation Solutions: Substance Use DisorderSeptember 14, 2023
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
- Teri Weber, SVP, Spring Consulting Group
Presentations
Transcripts
Teri Weber, ACI is a Partner with Spring Consulting Group. She has over 10 years of experience in health and welfare plan strategy, design, pricing, and implementation. She also works with absence management programs, including disability, family medical leave and leave of absence tracking. Her areas of expertise have allowed her to work with diverse employers and vendors to streamline processes and programs to meet the needs of insurers, administrators, employers and employees. Teri is on the Board for the New England Employee Benefits Council (NEEBC) and recently served as lead editor for the Disability Management Employer Coalition’s (DMEC) Return to Work Program Manual. Prior to joining Spring, Teri worked with Watson Wyatt, Buck Consultants and AON Consulting. In addition she was an Account Manager with Health Direct, Inc. Teri earned a BS at the University of Connecticut and a MBA at the University of Massachusetts. She holds an ACI designation and is a licensed broker in the states of MA and CT.
Presenters:
- Linda Carter Batiste , Director of Services and Publications
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Handouts
Presenters:
- James Potts , Senior Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Anne E. Hirsh , Director of Collaborations, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Bill Curtis-Davidson, Co-director of PEAT
- Martez Mott, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, Ability Group, Microsoft Research
- Tina Park, Ph.D., Methods for Inclusion Research Fellow at the Partnership on AI
Presentations
Transcripts
This session, produced in collaboration with JAN and the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), will introduce the potential impact of emerging tech on accommodations. Participants will learn how employers and HR professionals can help plan for an accessible workplace of the future, including the procurement of accessible technologies and potential accommodation needs of people with disabilities. PEAT, funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, will interview technology leaders to find out how AI and XR will change the way we work and what these technologies could mean for the employment of people with disabilities.
This event takes place on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD).
Speaker Bios:
Bill Curtis-Davidson is a Co-Director and Sr. Consultant on Emerging Tech Accessibility at PEAT. In this role, he works to advance the accessibility of emerging workplace technologies, including XR and AI, to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. He partners with the disability community, tech companies, and the public to advance adoption of inclusive design and promising practices for tech accessibility. He serves on the External Advisory Board of the GA Tech Human-Computer Interaction Degree Program.
Martez Mott is a Senior Researcher in the Ability Group at Microsoft Research. His research is focused on designing, implementing, and evaluating intelligent interaction techniques that improve the accessibility of computing devices for people with diverse motor and sensory abilities. His current research focuses on identifying and overcoming accessibility barriers embedded in the design of virtual and augmented reality systems. Martez is passionate about improving diversity in the CS and HCI communities. He co-chaired the 2020 CHI Mentoring Workshop (CHIMe), is serving on the steering committee for CHIMe 2021, and co-founded the Black Researchers @ Microsoft Research group. Martez received his Ph.D. in Information Science from the Information School at the University of Washington. Prior to attending UW, he received his B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science from Bowling Green State University.
Tina M. Park is currently a Methods for Inclusion Research Fellow at the Partnership on AI, developing evidence-based methodologies for incorporating a more diverse range of stakeholders in the design and development of artificial intelligence. Prior to joining PAI, Tina has led efforts to cultivate supportive intellectual spaces for scholars of color at Brown University and nationwide. She has presented at top international conferences in her field such as the American Sociological Association, the Social Science History Association, the Population Association of America, and the Society for the Study of Social Problems, the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
- Tatum Storey, Consultant - Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
- Jeanne Goldberg is a Senior Attorney Advisor in the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Handouts
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- James Potts , Senior Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Linda Carter Batiste , Director of Services and Publications
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
Presentations
Transcripts
Handouts
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Alexis Popa , Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
- Julie Davis , Consultant - Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Handouts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
- Jeanne Goldberg - Senior Attorney Advisor, Office of Legal Counsel, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Handouts
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Matthew McCord , Senior Consultant – Motor Team
- Christy McCune , Consultant - Sensory Team
Presentations
Handouts
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Alexis Popa , Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
- Ellice Switzer, EARN Workplace Disability Inclusion Associate
Presentations
Transcripts
Ellice Switzer, EARN Workplace Disability Inclusion Associate
Ellice is an Extension Associate with the K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability. She provides content development, training and technical assistance for EARN. As an Extension Associate, she provides national technical assistance and training on topics related to disability and employment, and U.S. disability policy. Her areas of focus include employer practices to support workforce disability inclusion, demand-side strategies to improve employer engagement among disability service providers and evidence-based practices to support post-school success for youth with disabilities.
Presenters:
- James Potts , Senior Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Teresa Goddard , Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- James Potts , Senior Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Lisa Mathess , Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
- Terri Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer, Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC)
- Bryon Bass, Senior Vice President Workforce Absence and Disability Practice Leader, Sedgwick
- Susanne Bruyere, Co-Director and Co-Principal Director, Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)
Handouts
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Melanie Whetzel , Principal Consultant, Team Lead
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Julie Davis, Consultant - Motor Team
- Matthew McCord, Senior Consultant - Motor Team
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Lisa Mathess, Principal Consultant, ADA Specialist
- Melanie Whetzel, Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Tracie DeFreitas, Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas, Program Leader, Director of Training, Services, and Outreach
- Jeanne Goldberg, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- Matthew McCord, Senior Consultant – Motor Team
- Teresa Goddard, Lead Consultant – Assistive Technology Services
- Jose Gonzalez Lopez, Consultant — Sensory/Motor Teams
Presentations
Transcripts
Presenters:
- James Potts, Senior Consultant - Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Melanie Whetzel, Principal Consultant, Team Lead
- Linda Batiste, Director of Publications and Services
Presentations
Transcripts
Other Information Regarding Alzheimer's Disease
External Links
- Communication and Alzheimer’s
- Coping with Cognitive Declines at Work
- EEOC's Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Guidance Under the ADA
- I’ve Just Been Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Can I still Work?
- PART 1630—Regulations to Implement the Equal Employment Provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act