Trauma Survivors Network - provided by ATS

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A Program of the ATS

Job Accommodations for People with Amputations

Amputation means loss or absence of all or part of a limb. According to the National Limb Loss Information Center, there were 1,285,000 persons in the U.S. living with the limb loss (excluding fingers and toes) in 1996. The prevalence rate in 1996 was 4.9 per 1,000 persons. The incidence rate was 46.2 per 100,000 persons with dysvascular disease, 5.86 per 100,000 persons secondary to trauma, 0.35 per 100,000 secondary to malignancy of a bone or joint. The birth prevalence of congenital limb deficiency in 1996 was 25.64 per 100,000 live births. The prevalence rate is highest among people aged 65 years and older – about 19.4 per 1,000. Although congenital amputation rates have remained consistent for several decades, dysvascular amputations have increased significantly. Dysvascular refers to limb loss associated with vascular conditions, mainly diabetes. Traumas resulting in limb loss or cancer have been decreasing, however, war related injuries will change that trend. 

Gross Motor Impairment:

  • Modify the work-site to make it accessible
  • Provide parking close to the work-site
  • Provide an accessible entrance
  • Install automatic door openers
  • Provide an accessible restroom and break room
  • Provide an accessible route of travel to other work areas used by the employee
  • Modify the workstation to make it accessible
  • Adjust desk height if wheelchair or scooter is used
  • Make sure materials and equipment are within reach range
  • Move workstation close to other work areas, break rooms and restrooms

Fine Motor Impairment:

  • Implement ergonomic workstation design
  • Provide alternative computer and telephone access
  • Provide sensitivity training to coworkers and supervisors

Upper Extremity Amputations (finger, hand, or arm):

  • Keyboard/data entry—One-handed keyboards, typing tutorials for one-hand or missing digits, speech recognition software, large-key keyboards, foot mouse, touchpads, trackballs and head pointing systems
  • Writing—Grip aids-writing cuffs, action arm orthotic devices, recoding devices for note taking, note-takers and clipboards
  • Telephone use—Speaker-phones, telephones with programmable number storage, phone holders and telephone headsets
  • Tool use—Grasping cuffs, grasping orthoses, ergonomically designed tools, vibration dampening tool wraps and gloves, vises, positioners, foot controls, pistol grip attachments and digital distance measuring devices
  • Lifting items—Portable material lift equipment, tailgate lifts, hoists and lift-tables
  • Carrying items—Lightweight carts,shoulder bags and powered carts or scooters with carrying baskets
  • Filing papers—lateral files, carousel-rotary files, reduce the number of files per drawer, and rulers as pry-bar
  • House-keeping/cleaning—Lightweight vacuum cleaners, back-pack vacs, long-handed cleaning aids and grasping cuffs
  • Driving—Steering knobs, power assisted steering, grip gloves, steering wheel covers and remote controlled engine starters

Lower Extremity Amputations (toe, finger, or leg):

  • Climbing—Stair-lifts, wheelchair platform lifts, climbing wheelchairs, rolling safety ladders with handrails, work platforms, and hydraulic personnel lifts.
  • Standing—Sit/stand stools, stand supports, task stools, anti-fatigue matting, and rest breaks.
  • Lifting/carrying—Material handling lifts, cranes, hoists, powered carts/scooters, hydraulic lift carts, lift-tables, lightweight carts with large wheels, and tailgate lifts.
  • Driving—Hand controls, automatic clutching systems, left-foot gas pedals, automatic transmissions, and designated parking.
  • Walking—Canes, crutches, rolling walkers with seats, wheelchairs, and powered wheelchairs/scooters.

Glossary of Commonly Used Terms:

  • AK—Above the knee
  • BK—Below the knee
  • Bilateral—Both legs, feet, arms, or hands
  • Congenital—born without limbs or digits
  • Myoelectrics—Upper extremity prostheses powered electrically
  • Orthosis—A device used to stabilize/support a body part
  • Prosthesis—A device used to replace a body part
  • Socket—The portion of the prosthrsis that fits over the remaining limb or stump
  • Terminals—Hand terminals (hooks) that are controlled by the wearer

Resources Specifically for People with Amputations

Amputee Coalition of America
900 East Hill Avenue, Suite 285
Knoxville, TN 37915-2568
Toll Free: (888) AMP-KNOW (888 267-5669)
Direct: (865) 524-8772
TTY: (865) 525-4512
Fax: (865) 525-7917
www.amputee-coalition.org

Amputee Online.Com
http://amputee-online.com

Limbs for Life Foundation
5929 N. May, Suite 511
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Toll Free: (888) 235-5462
Direct: (405) 843-5174
Fax: (405) 843-5123
Email: admin@limbsforlife.org
www.limbsforlife.org

National Amputation Foundation
40 Church Street
Malverne, NY 11565
Phone: (516) 887-3600
Fax: (516) 887-3667
E-mail: amps76@aol.com
www.nationalamputation.org

National Limb Loss Information Center
900 East Hill Ave. Suite 285
Knoxville, TN 37909
888-267-5669
www.amputee-coalition.org

O&P Digital Technologies
6830 NW 11th Place, Suite A
Gainesville, FL 32605
Toll Free: (800) 876-7740
Direct: (352) 331-3741
Fax: (352) 332-8074
E-Mail: info@oandp.com
www.oandp.com

The following is a quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be useful for employees with amputation. To discuss an accommodation situation with a consultant, contact JAN directly at 800-526-7234 (V/TTY) or jan@jan.wvu.edu