Factors associated with requesting accommodations among people with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Rehabilitation Science
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects nearly one million Americans, often diagnosed during early career stages.
• Individuals with MS face significant employment challenges, including unemployment and underemployment.
• Workplace accommodations are vital for employment but factors influencing requests are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively explore barriers and facilitators influencing workplace accommodation requests among individuals with MS.

Main Methods:

• Eighty-six participants with MS in the US were recruited.
• Content analysis was performed on open-ended responses regarding accommodation request perceptions.

Main Results:

• Ten themes emerged, including facilitators like positive work environments and employer flexibility.
• Key barriers identified were employer lack of ADA knowledge, discrimination, employee fear of stigma, and inaccessible workspaces.

Conclusions:

• Rehabilitation professionals should empower employees with MS to disclose and request accommodations.
• Educating employers on legal obligations and sensitizing coworkers to disability are crucial for supporting employment.