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About Burn Injury
Burn injuries are classified in three ways: first, second, and third degree. First degree burns involve only the top layer of skin and are characterized by pain, redness, and swelling. Second degree burns involve the first and second layer of skin and are characterized by blistering of the skin, redness, and swelling and are very painful. Third degree burns are the most severe and often result in extensive scarring. They can require a long recovery time and may result in severe limitations.
Burn Injury and the Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA does not contain a list of medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Instead, the ADA has a general definition of disability that each person must meet. A person has a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having 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 Burn Injury
People with burn injuries 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 burn injuries 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?
- Has the employee been consulted regarding 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?
Accommodation Ideas:
By Limitation
Grasping
- Industrial
-
Office Equipment
- Auto-dialers
- Automated Filing Systems
- Book Holders
- Compact Material Handling
- Door Knob Grips and Handles
- Electric Scissors
- File Carousels
- Filing Trays
- Grip Aids
- Hands-free Telephones
- Headsets
- Left Hand-Dominant Keyboards
- Motorized Carts
- One-Handed Keyboards
- Page Turners
- Reachers
- Scribe/Notetaker
- Shoulder Rests for Telephone Handsets
- Writing Aids
- Other
Handling/Fingering
- Industrial
-
Office Equipment
- Alternative Input Devices
- Alternative Keyboards
- Alternative Mice
- Articulating Keyboard Trays
- Book Holders
- Compact Material Handling
- Ergonomic Equipment
- Expanded Keyboards
- Forearm Supports
- Grip Aids
- Keyguards
- Miniature Keyboards
- One-Handed Keyboards
- On-Screen Keyboards
- Page Turners
- Scribe/Notetaker
- Speech Recognition Software
- Typing / Keyboarding Aids
- Writing Aids
- Other
Pain
-
Industrial
- Adjustable Workstations for Industrial Settings
- Alternative Keyboards
- Alternative Mice
- Anti-fatigue Matting
- Anti-vibration Gloves
- Anti-vibration Seats
- Anti-vibration Tool Wraps
- Automatic Door Openers
- Carts
- Chairs with Head Support
- Compact Material Handling
- Ergonomic Assessments
- Ergonomic Equipment
- Fans
- Flexible Schedule
- Forearm Supports
- Stand-lean Stools
- Wearable Anti-fatigue Matting
- Workstation Space Heaters
-
Office Equipment
- Adjustable Workstations for Office Settings
- Alternative Keyboards
- Alternative Mice
- Automatic Door Openers
- Carts
- Chairs with Head Support
- Compact Material Handling
- Ergonomic and Adjustable Office Chairs
- Ergonomic Assessments
- Ergonomic Equipment
- Fans
- Flexible Schedule
- Forearm Supports
- Gooseneck and Other Telephone Holders
- Headsets
- Scooters
- Speech Recognition Software
- Stand-lean Stools
- Supine Workstations
- Wearable Anti-fatigue Matting
- Worksite Redesign / Modified Workspace
- Workstation Space Heaters
- Writing Aids
- Other
Respiratory Distress/Breathing Problem
- Air Cleaners & Purifiers
- Air Cleaners - Chemical/Odor Removal
- Air Cleaning Systems
- Air Purifiers for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
- Alternative Cleaning Supplies
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Device
- Carpet Alternatives, Sealants, and Sustainable Flooring
- Escape Hoods
- Flexible Schedule
- Floor Cleaning/Stripping Products - Chemical Sensitivity
- Low/No Odor Paints and Stains
- Respirator Masks
- Odor/Fragrance/Chemical Masks
- Odor Control
- Outgoing Voice Amplification - Telephone
- Personal Air Cleaner (Neckworn)
- Personal On-Site Paging Devices
- Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR)
- Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely
- Voice Amplification
Sleeping/Stay Awake
- Apps for Sleep/ Fatigue
- Environmental Sound Machines / Tinnitus Maskers / White Noise Machines
- Flexible Schedule
- Modified Break Schedule
- Doze Alert
- Strobe Lights
Standing
- Accessories for Scooters
- Adjustable Drafting Tables
- Adjustable Workstations for Industrial Settings
- Adjustable Workstations for Office Settings
- All-Terrain Scooters
- Anti-fatigue Matting
- Assist Lift Cushions
- Elevating Lift and Office Chairs
- Ergonomic and Pneumatic Tools
- Examination and Procedures Chair
- Flexible Schedule
- Grab Bars
- Handheld Computers (General)
- Head Support for Wheelchairs
- Low Task Chair
- Periodic Rest Breaks
- Scooters
- Stair Assists
- Stand Aids
- Stand-lean Stools
- Stand-up Wheelchairs
- Stools for Cutting Hair
- Van Conversion
- Wearable Anti-fatigue Matting
- Wheelchair Accessible Scales
- Wheelchair Carts/Trailers
- Wheelchair Mounts
- Wheelchairs
Stress Intolerance
- Apps for Anxiety and Stress
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Counseling/Therapy
- Environmental Sound Machines / Tinnitus Maskers / White Noise Machines
- Flexible Schedule
- Job Restructuring
- Marginal Functions
- Modified Break Schedule
- Supervisory Methods
- Support Animal
- Support Person
Temperature Sensitivity
- Air Deflectors
- Cold Resistant Gloves
- Cooling Clothing
- Fans
- Flexible Schedule
- Heated Clothing
- Heated Ergonomic and Computer Products
- Heated Gloves
- Portable Air Conditioners
- Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely
- Vent Covers
- Workstation Space Heaters
Walking
- Accessories for Scooters
- Aide/Assistant/Attendant
- All-Terrain Scooters
- All-Terrain Wheelchairs
- Anti-fatigue Matting
- Boat Access
- Ergonomic and Pneumatic Tools
- Examination and Procedures Chair
- Foldable / Transport Wheelchairs
- Head Support for Wheelchairs
- Large-Rated Scooters
- Large-Rated Wheelchairs
- Low Task Chair
- Personal Transportation and Mobility Products
- Reclining Wheelchairs
- Rollators and Rolling Walkers
- Scooters
- Scooters for Small Stature
- Stair Assists
- Stools for Cutting Hair
- Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely
- Van Conversion
- Walkers
- Walkers for Tall Individuals
- Walkers with Seats
- Wearable Anti-fatigue Matting
- Wheelchair Accessible Scales
- Wheelchair Carts/Trailers
- Wheelchair Mounts
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchairs for Small Stature
- Worksite Redesign / Modified Workspace
By Work Related Function
Parking
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
Work Site Access
- Accessible Toilets and Toilet Seats
- Accessories for Scooters
- Adjustable Workstations for Industrial Settings
- Adjustable Workstations for Office Settings
- All-Terrain Scooters
- Anti-fatigue Matting
- Automatic Door Openers
- Boat Access
- Braille and/or ADA Signage
- Door Knob Grips and Handles
- Examination and Procedures Chair
- Flexible Schedule
- Head Support for Wheelchairs
- High Contrast/High Visibility Paint and Tape
- Low Task Chair
- Portable Ramps
- Ramps
- Scooters
- Service Animal
- Alternative Locks
- Stair Assists
- Stair Tread/Tape
- Support Animal
- Telework, Work from Home, Working Remotely
- Van Conversion
- Walkers
- Wearable Anti-fatigue Matting
- Wheelchair Accessible Scales
- Wheelchair Carts/Trailers
- Wheelchair Lifts
- Wheelchair Mounts
- Wheelchairs
- Worksite Redesign / Modified Workspace
Work Station Access
- Accessories for Scooters
- Adjustable and Ergonomic School Desks and Equipment
- Adjustable Desk Top Workstations for Office Settings
- Adjustable Workstations for Industrial Settings
- All-Terrain Scooters
- Anti-fatigue Matting
- Articulating Keyboard Trays
- Assist Lift Cushions
- Chair Mats
- Chairs for Little People
- Chairs for People who are Tall
- Dual Monitors
- Elevating Lift and Office Chairs
- Ergonomic and Adjustable Office Chairs
- Ergonomic Equipment
- Examination and Procedures Chair
- Expanded Keyboards
- Forearm Supports
- Forward Leaning Chairs
- Head Support for Wheelchairs
- Large-Rated Chairs
- Low Task Chair
- Monitor Mirrors
- Monitor Risers
- Mousing Surfaces
- Stair Assists
- Stand-lean Stools
- Supine Workstations
- Van Conversion
- Wheelchair Accessible Scales
- Wheelchair Carts/Trailers
- Wheelchair Mounts
- Wheelchairs
- Work Platforms
- Zero Gravity (reclining) Chairs
Situations and Solutions:

A security guard with breast cancer was burned from radiation treatment.
She had difficulty wearing the polyester uniform with embroidered insignia that was required by company policy. The employer modified the dress code policy by having a uniform made of cotton material with the logo and employee name added with a no-sew iron-on adhesive.

A consultant employed by a federal agency had severe limitations in fine motor movements as a result of burns to her hands.
She had difficulty typing for long periods of time. An articulating keyboard tray was added to her desk, allowing her to bring the keyboard closer to her body. She was also given a split keyboard and a trackball mouse that allowed her to use her fingers to move the cursor and type, eliminating the need for her to use her thumbs. The individual combined these devices with speech recognition.

A heating/cooling technician had a burn injury on his waist and chest from a service connected injury.
He had difficulty wearing the polyester uniform required by his employer. His employer had uniforms custom made for him out of cotton.

A school teacher with burn injuries to both hands was having trouble writing.
JAN provided information on assistive writing aids such as pen/pencil/marker grips and devices to make holding a pen/pencil/marker easier.

A maintenance worker with a burn injury had difficulty walking and standing for long periods.
The employer purchased a small utility vehicle for the individual to move about the production facility.

A drafting engineer had third degree burns to 80% of his body.
He was limited in sitting for extended periods. He was accommodated with an ergonomic workstation, including a sit/stand work station.

A person employed as a ground maintenance laborer was recovering from severe burns of his head, neck, and back.
His job required him to work outside during most of the day. Due to the scars he was unable to sweat to cool his body temperature, and he was concerned about getting sunburned. His employer provided him with a hat, long sleeved light cotton shirts, and a cool vest. The employer also changed his schedule to an earlier start time so that he could work mainly during the morning hours during extreme heat.
JAN Publications & Articles Regarding Burn Injury
Publications
Accommodation and Compliance Series
Consultants' Corner Articles
Articles
- No Articles available for Burn Injury
Blog Posts
Events Regarding Burn Injury
- Upcoming Events
- Past Recorded Module
- Past In-person Training
- Past Exhibit Booths
- Past Remote Monthly Series Training
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DEAM - A Disability Inclusion Intervention: What DE Members Need to Know to Move the Inclusion Needle ForwardApril 26, 2018
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DMEC - ADA Basics: Competence Builds ConfidenceApril 30, 2018
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DMEC - Who Wants to Be an ADA Guru?May 1, 2018
-
ADA Symposium - Unpacking the Reasonable Accommodation Conversation: Achieving Win/Win OutcomesJune 20, 2018
Presenters:
- Tracie DeFreitas , Lead Consultant — ADA Specialist
Presenters:
- Linda Carter Batiste , Principal Consultant
Presenters:
- Louis E. Orslene , JAN Co-Director
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DMEC - FMLA/ADA Employer Compliance ConferenceApril 30, 2018
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DMEC - FMLA/ADA Employer Compliance ConferenceMay 1, 2018
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DMEC - FMLA/ADA Employer Compliance ConferenceMay 1, 2018
-
APSE Employment First, Employment for All National ConferenceJune 26, 2018
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APSE Employment First, Employment for All National ConferenceJune 27, 2018
Presenters:
- Louis E. Orslene , JAN Co-Director
Presenters:
- Louis E. Orslene , JAN Co-Director
Presenters:
- Louis E. Orslene , JAN Co-Director
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JAN - Current Events in AccommodationFebruary 13, 2018
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JAN - Fostering Deaf Success: Attracting, Engaging and Retaining Deaf and Hard of Hearing EmployeesMarch 13, 2018
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JAN - Ask the JAN Psychiatric TeamMay 15, 2018
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JAN - The USBLN’s Going for Gold (GFG) Program: Lessons Learned for Increasing Hiring of People with DisabilitiesJune 12, 2018
-
ADA UpdateJuly 17, 2018
Presenters:
- Linda Carter Batiste , Principal Consultant
- Beth Loy , Principal Consultant
Presentations
Handouts
Presenters:
- Anne E. Hirsh , Co-Director
- Kylie Baker and Robert Siebert of Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) Neighborhood
Presentations
Presenters:
- Melanie Whetzel , Lead Consultant – Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Sarah Small , Consultant – Cognitive/Neurological Team
- Beth Loy , Principal Consultant
Transcripts
Presentations
Presenters:
- Louis E. Orslene , JAN Co-Director
- Leslie Wilson, M.S., US Business Leadership Network’s Vice President, Workplace Initiatives
- Deb Dagit, Deb Dagit Diversity LLC
Transcripts
Presentations
Handouts
Presenters:
- Linda Carter Batiste , Principal Consultant
- Jeanne Goldberg, Senior Attorney Advisor in the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Transcripts
Presentations
Handouts
Other Information Regarding Burn Injury
External Links
Organizations
- Job Accommodation Network
- Office of Disability Employment Policy
- American Burn Association
- Arizona Burn Foundation
- Burn Survivor Resource Center
- Flicker of Hope Foundation
- Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center
- National Center for Biotechnology Information
- Remedy's Health Communites
- The Hand and Wrist Institute
- World Health Organization