Memory Loss

Some employees with various limitations may require additional, detail-oriented training to help them learn to do their job tasks or to enhance their knowledge of their duties. Due to difficulties with memory associated a condition or from medications taken, an employee might benefit from training refreshers, whether given in part of in full, extended time with a trainer, or the use of alternate materials.

Electronic organizers are electronic devices, such as PDA's, that allow an individual to download important information such as names, phone numbers, email address and dates. They might have alarms/cues that will remind the individual of datelines, meetings, and so on.

Job coaches are individuals who specialize in assisting individuals with disabilities to learn and accurately carry out job duties. Job coaches provide one-on-one training tailored to the needs of the employee. They may first do a job analysis to identify the job duties, followed by developing a specific plan as to how they can best train the employee to work more and more on his/her own until completely self-sufficient and able to perform job duties accurately and effectively without assistance.

Software and programs designed and utilized to help support memory and remind individuals of tasks and schedules.

Assistants or companies that can help an individual with organization or developing organizational skills.

Individuals with reading or memory deficits may have difficulty reading or remembering memos, directions, meeting notes, and other print information. Tape recording the information allows the person with the disability to listen to the information instead of reading the information. Tape recorders can be purchased at local electronics stores.

Individuals with memory deficits may benefit from cueing and reminder devices to help them remember important tasks, daily chores, taking medication, etc.

Social skill building products, software, and techniques can help a person with a disability learn the appropriate social skills to exhibit at school, at work, or at home.

Some individuals can benefit from having a dedicated person with them to help keep them focused, assist with minor day to day tasks and help them operate in social environments that they may not feel comfortable in alone. Allowing an employee to bring a support person to important meetings such as job evaluation or disciplinary meeting to help him ask questions, remember discussion points, and explain results or the purpose of the meeting can be helpful. Support persons can be co-workers, job coaches, or close contacts outside of the place of employment. For more information on support persons as reasonable accommodations, see: "A Support Person as an Accommodation."

Individuals with memory deficits may benefit from verbal cueing and reminders to help them remember important tasks, updates, daily chores, taking medication, etc.

For some individuals, it may be helpful to use a plain wall calendar to keep track of meetings and due dates.  This may be particularly helpful to individuals who are not as comfortable using electronic devices.  Similarly, a personal planner can be used for keeping track of deadlines and other important information.

Some individuals benefit from having directions and other instructions provided in writing. Example of this would include communicating through email when possible, providing transcripts of meetings, using agendas for trainings, and having checklists for tasks that need completed.