Advancing Universal Design through EBP: Work Environments

Preview this chapter:

Advancing Universal Design through EBP: Work Environments, Page 1 of 1

< Previous page | Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/9781608050635/chapter-7-1.gif

People with disabilities must often rely on workplace accommodations in the form of universal design, or in its absence, assistive technology, in order to be able to participate in the workplace. Regulatory guidelines that specify how spaces or products can be designed to be "accessible" have helped us move toward more universally designed work environments. Unfortunately, these guidelines may still not address all of the access needs of a particular employee. In addition, there is limited research on universal design and assistive technology accommodations that can be used to guide practice to meet the needs of these individual employees. This chapter reviews how research on workplace accommodations is leading to evidence upon which practice might be based. The base of evidence available, however, needs to be expanded to include research subjects with a wider range of disabilities and to include a greater variety of accommodations. In addition, research efforts must begin to focus more on accommodation outcomes.