Overall Body Weakness/Strength

Adjustable school desks and workstations allow the furniture height to be adjusted. Depending upon a particular product, the furniture may be adjusted using a hand crank, electronic motor, or wing-nuts. They may also allow an individual to alternate between sitting and standing positions or use various types of chairs to be more comfortable.

A person who performs certain job-related tasks for a person with a disability to help overcome limitations resulting from the disability. Examples include a page turner for a person who has no hands, or a travel attendant to act as a sighted guide to assist a blind employee on work-related travel. WPAS may include personal care-related assistance such as helping an employee to access the restroom, eat or drink at work, or travel for business purposes.

Veterinary aids that automatically lift and secure animals during examinations or procedures.

Anti-fatigue matting provides a buffer between the floor surface and an individual's body. These mats are available in a variety of sizes and often can be custom made. These mats are designed to relieve fatigue for individuals who have to stand for prolonged periods.

Lift tables that can be operated away from power sources and outlets, offering a wider range of mobility and use.

Compact material handling devices are small and portable enough to work in office or tight storeroom environments. These lifting and carrying devices have platforms that are variable heights. Activation of the horizontal lifting surface is typically powered by batteries, hydraulic foot pumps, or hand cranks. Ball transfer tables may be added to the horizontal-lifting surface. This reduces the push and pull force needed to move materials to and from the lifting device. Products from this category help individuals with lifting or carrying restrictions resulting from back, neck, shoulder, heart, and various repetitive strain injuries.

Elevating wheelchairs allow a user to remain in a seated position while adjusting the height of the wheelchair. These wheelchairs can also recline to varying degrees. This product can be useful for those needing to access items or work at a higher or standing level.

Adjustable office chairs provide support for individuals with shoulder, neck, back, and upper and lower extremity impairments. Backrest, armrest, and seat height and pan angles are features that support neutral sitting positions. Because stability is a safety concern for any chair user, the base should have five points, easy to reach controls, and casters that handle a variety of floor surfaces. Several companies offer unique options such as torso and neck support, built-in footrests, and locking casters

Ergonomic office equipment includes copyholders, monitor risers, keyboard trays, keyboard rests, and foot rests. Other equipment characterized as ergonomic are ergonomic or electric staplers, staple removers, scissors, and hole punches. Individuals with handling, fingering, and grasping restrictions resulting from cumulative trauma disorders can benefit from this equipment. Products in this area alleviate the repetitive motion common to many hand-intensive jobs.

Fall protection products can include roof anchors, helmets, harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, and rescue hoists. Fall protection products are generally durable, comfortable and meet OSHA and ANSI standards.

These wheelchairs are designed to be lightweight and compact for use in limited storage space situations and travel situations. Transport chairs are designed to be pushed from behind by another individual.

Many individuals who work at desks or other types of surfaces may work more effectively with upper body support, particularly support of their forearms.  Forearm support can be provided from a properly adjusted chair’s armrests.  Forearm supports are also products that typically attach to a work surface and are adjustable. Essentially, they are armrests that attach to a work surface. There are several different types that adjust to a variety of heights and positions. Forearm support can alleviate pressure on a worker's neck, back, arms, and wrists.

Rails and bars that can be installed into walls or from walls to floors to prevent falls and enhance coordination around a house.

Aids to assist individuals with independent living needs are available. These tools and devices enable people with various types of limitations to perform personal and household activities such as reaching, reading, writing, dressing, personal hygiene, walking, eating, cooking, cleaning, and gardening.

Scooters can be used by people who are obese and have difficulty walking, but must be able to safely accommodate the weight of each user. Some companies provide scooters that are rated up to 400 pounds.

Wheelchairs with high weight capacities are available for purchase. These may come in manual or power types.

Lift Tables lift objects that are placed on it up so that the object can be worked upon efficiently while reducing strain from awkward positioning. Lift tables come in a variety of sizes and some are usable with hand cranks, while others are fully electronic.

Some employees can benefit from taking their breaks at a different rate than what may be considered standard by their employer to accomodate certain conditions, symptoms and habits they have in order to perform their job at their optimal level.

Moving, carrying, or transferring items around an office or retail space can be difficult for individuals with certain impairment, such as back or arm impairments that limit motor movement. Multi-purpose carts can be used to transport items and are available in a wide range of sizes with various features.

Standard office chair casters can be replaced with casters that lock in place, which can be useful for those who need the office chair to be stable when sitting or standing. There are also office chairs with hand brakes for those who need to be able to lock the chair in place but may not be able to maneuver a locking caster.

A variety of products are available to assist health care professionals with lifting, moving, and transferring patients. Portable, ceiling mounted, sling, bedside, and heavy duty options are available.

Periodic rest breaks can allow an individual to move about, stretch, adjust their seating position, or modify how a task is completed. Breaks can be short in duration, depending on the individual’s needs. Time used for breaks can be taken from already provided break time, lunch, or made up so there is not an impact on productivity.

Personal safety and fall alert devices are available in a variety of products and services. Some products and services are activated when a person pushes a button on a watch, pendant, cell phone, or other device. These generally have a monthly service plan and connect the person with a call center operator. It may be necessary to contact vendors to learn more about available features -- such as alerting emergency contacts and/or 911; selecting automatic alerting options; or setting up appointment reminders.

A personal transportation or mobility product differs from a wheelchair, scooter, or walker in that a person can sit or stand and use forward or backward movements to propel the device. These products can be an alternative to a traditional mobility device.

Wheelchairs that are manually powered can be equipped with an add-on power assist system. Users can switch from manual to power operation and the wheelchair remains foldable and portable.

Scooters can be used by people with mobility impairments who do not need a wheelchair but who have difficulty walking for various reasons, such as fatigue or muscle weakness. Scooters come with a variety of options, such as baskets, armrests, plain or plush seats, and all-terrain capability.

Individuals who are mobile may have difficulty climbing or walking down stairs. Stair lifts will elevate or decline an individual along the stairway.

Stand/lean stools are available to assist individuals who must stand or sit for long periods of time. Stand/lean stools allow an individual to adjust his/her positioning, relieve standing strain by leaning, and relieve sitting pressure by leaning. Stand/lean stools are useful for brief mini-breaks and allow an easy return to an upright position. Stand/lean stools give individuals the ability to work in an upright position with most of their weight resting on the padded seat. A stand/lean stool helps support the body in a standing position and stabilizes the body in an upright position, reducing back strain and minimizing leg fatigue. Some stools swivel and tilt, some have backrests, and some are made for industrial and office environments.

This type of wheelchair enables a user to be supported by the wheelchair while in a standing posture to perform tasks from a counter, desk or worktable. Greeters, customer service representatives and assemblers are people who must work from a standing position.

Telework, within certain fields, can be an excellent alternative for employees who have conditions that make it difficult for them to leave their home or reliably travel to a place of work. Employers should consider if a job can be made compatible with telework for their employees and communicate their expectations and requirement for the job to be performed out of home. Allowing work from home during worksite or office construction; extremely hot, cold, or inclement weather; or parking renovations could be a reasonable accommodation.

Individuals with mobility limitations can benefit from toileting aids to allow for greater independence and safety. Toileting aids can include grab bars, raised toilet seats, toilet supports, or lifting toilet seats.

Changing table with steps allowing a child to be assisted in climbing to the changing table height. May be used to accommodate a daycare worker with a lifting restriction.

Walkers can be used by people with mobility impairments who do not need a wheelchair but who have difficulty walking for various reasons, such as fatigue or muscle weakness. Walkers come in various sizes and options, including having wheels.

Walkers with built in seating to double as chairs for resting on a walk or for preventing exhausted falls.

Wearable anti-fatigue matting can include a non-slip material that is fitted over shoes to provide a safer and more stable walking surface, and anti-fatigue insoles for your shoes.

A variety of manual and power wheelchairs are available for purchase. Many brands come in several types, including large capacity, reclining, and lightweight.

Redesigning a worksite as an accommodation can include moving a workstation closer to a break room, restroom, office equipment, or employee parking lot; duplicating work materials in a workspace; teleconferencing into meetings; having others report to the employee physically; or communicating in an alternative way (instant messaging, pager, texting, or telephone). Modifying a workspace for an employee who experiences limitations in concentration can help limit or even eliminate both auditory and visual distractions. These modifications can include relocating employees to private area away from high traffic areas, reducing clutter in the employee’s work environment, redesigning an employee’s workspace to minimize visual distractions, and providing higher cubicle walls and/or cubicle doors.