Job Accommodations for People with Physical Disabilities: Findings of a United States National Survey

Identify the job accommodations associated with increased job retention and satisfaction for people with physical disabilities.

A national survey of 1265 people with physical disabilities in the United States, who worked for an employer after their disability onset. The sample was 58% males, average age of 44 years, 74% white, and worked an average of 36 h weekly. We assessed frequency, type, and use of job accommodations and used multivariate Poisson regression to evaluate the relationship between job accommodations, job tenure, and satisfaction.

The top job accommodations were modified work schedules, modified policies/rules, job sharing, allowing sitting/standing changes, and unpaid leave. The job accommodations needed but not received were limiting lifting, pushing, pulling; co-worker assistance; limiting twisting, bending; using modified/new equipment; and telework. Males reported higher frequency of accommodation use than females, while females reported not needing accommodations more often. Among respondents who used an accommodation, 82% rated it as moderately or very helpful. Most respondents (79%) reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs. Poisson regression models revealed an association between using a job accommodation and job tenure for 4 years or longer for all job accommodation categories, with an increased likelihood of job tenure beyond 4 years by 10-70%. Four of 12 job accommodation categories were associated with job satisfaction.

Use of employer- and self-provided job accommodations is associated with longer job tenure and increased job satisfaction. Each person, job, and environmental factor provides opportunities to tailor accommodations.