I need accommodations at work suddenly

[Anonymous]

I have a disability that makes writing manually very hard. I can do it but my handwriting is hard to read. In my line of work, documentation is super important. My employer decided recently to document a ton of stuff on paper and they got rid of laptops and documentation software. They did this because everyone else didn't like the software but I think it's probably due to cost. I haven't said anything yet about accommodation. I need to register with the vocational rehabilitation in my state so they can help me get the proper documentation. Accommodations didn't come up much in prior jobs because everything was done electronically. I'm not sure if I should look for a different employer or deal with accommodations here. I do love love the job but if I don't get accommodations I feel I won't be able to move up. When I brought it up in the past most did not get it. They tell me to do my best. My situation is even more challenging because documentation requires lots of people to use the same paper to document. It's shift work so 3 employees are filling out these papers in one day. I feel so stressed and bummed about this new change. My coworkers have commented on my handwriting and it's embarrassing. One yesterday said, "You write like that, try to do better."

I contacted VR and they said they can help me but it takes weeks to get approved, evaluated, etc I feel I should say something to my employer. It's a very small company so I don't have an HR.

[Anonymous]

Op. I was approved for VR in another state so I know I will get approved but it will take time. I don't have documentation right now I feel comfortable sending my work because all I have is a full psy evaluation. That helps me now as I am in college but it doesn't specifically state, that Lara needs to use technology instead of writing by hand due to dysgraphia.

I contacted JAN and they told me it's very challenging since they decided to do everything on paper to come up with accommodations. I wasn't aware they were going to take away the software otherwise I would have said something.

[Anonymous]

Can you purchase your own iPad with a keyboard and document notes that way? Then email it to yourself and print it up at the end of every day.

Very weird that your employer is going back to paper and pencils.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you purchase your own iPad with a keyboard and document notes that way? Then email it to yourself and print it up at the end of every day.

Very weird that your employer is going back to paper and pencils.

I do have an iPad. I would need to scan the documents but the issue comes up more for documents that are signed and filled out by several people on the same day. We use the same paper. I guess I could scan it when I came into work but that would be time-consuming and the company may not like that because I am essentially getting rid of documentation in a way but making a new sheet. It's very complicated.

[Anonymous]

You can use this while you get documentation/accommodation- perfect for a few sentences of content, can then stick on the paper .

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-P-Touch-PTD220-Office-Everyday/dp/B0B1L3BL1G?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you purchase your own iPad with a keyboard and document notes that way? Then email it to yourself and print it up at the end of every day.

Very weird that your employer is going back to paper and pencils.

I do have an iPad. I would need to scan the documents but the issue comes up more for documents that are signed and filled out by several people on the same day. We use the same paper. I guess I could scan it when I came into work but that would be time-consuming and the company may not like that because I am essentially getting rid of documentation in a way but making a new sheet. It's very complicated.

You know you can scan things using the Notes app on your iPad, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can use this while you get documentation/accommodation- perfect for a few sentences of content, can then stick on the paper .

https://www.amazon.com/Brother-P-Touch-PTD220-Office-Everyday/dp/B0B1L3BL1G?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

op here. i have something like this. this is good for only a few words. my notes need to be longer than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you purchase your own iPad with a keyboard and document notes that way? Then email it to yourself and print it up at the end of every day.

Very weird that your employer is going back to paper and pencils.

I do have an iPad. I would need to scan the documents but the issue comes up more for documents that are signed and filled out by several people on the same day. We use the same paper. I guess I could scan it when I came into work but that would be time-consuming and the company may not like that because I am essentially getting rid of documentation in a way but making a new sheet. It's very complicated.

You know you can scan things using the Notes app on your iPad, right?

op. yes of course. the issue is i don't want to alter the documents my coworkers write on the same paper. if it's something i am only submitting then it's fine. there are documents that need many co-workers notes on

[Anonymous]

I normally wouldn't suggest this but find a different employer. You won't be on a level playing field until everyone is using technology.

[Anonymous]

I’d start looking for another job. I work in an industry with 3 shifts & notes, & I cannot see going back to handwritten notes, for any reason. So if your company is choosing to go back to that, it would make me suspect leadership’s ability to make good long term decisions for the company. I would worry that this is an indication that they will not be around for long.
Also, if they are doing it to cut costs, that makes me suspect they will not be keeping up with fair wage increases. And finally, they are taking away tech skills, so you are adding less to your resume/less marketable for your next job.
For those reasons, I’d take this as a sign to start job hunting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d start looking for another job. I work in an industry with 3 shifts & notes, & I cannot see going back to handwritten notes, for any reason. So if your company is choosing to go back to that, it would make me suspect leadership’s ability to make good long term decisions for the company. I would worry that this is an indication that they will not be around for long.
Also, if they are doing it to cut costs, that makes me suspect they will not be keeping up with fair wage increases. And finally, they are taking away tech skills, so you are adding less to your resume/less marketable for your next job.
For those reasons, I’d take this as a sign to start job hunting.

Op here. I am so bummed because it's otherwise perfect. It's 5 mins from my house. The schedule is perfect as it gives me the flexibility to be at the bus stop for my kids. Living with disabilities is such a pain sometimes. It's already hard enough to be the default parent.

[Anonymous]

I hear you, it sucks. But this is your heads up that this company is not long for this world. It’s much easier to find a job when you have a job, so you can take your time & look now before any layoff/closure.
Take your time to find a better job, & let coworkers deal with the handwriting - if they have a problem, they can take it up with management who made this brilliant decision.

[Anonymous]

The company only has to accommodate your disability if it is reasonable, and since they are a small company the cost of moving to electronic records (which they already said was too expensive) might be prohibitive and therefore not reasonable.

I'm so sorry but I think you might need to look for a different job.

I still wonder if there's a way you could just type up your notes, into a template, and print them out onto a sticker that will fit onto the form they want you to use. You would just need pages of printable stickers, correctly sized (they come in all sorts of sizes, and a printer with some ink. How much do you actually have to write each shift? Does it always have to fit into a certain space on the form?

https://www.onlinelabels.com/products/ol125wx?campaign=Shopping+WX&qty=100&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7JOpBhCfARIsAL3bobdXF6s9CwaAi18yqcTa8ctMNGtBGL5p2sFb7RAWy4CcGREOc6V0RVMaAuXxEALw_wcB

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The company only has to accommodate your disability if it is reasonable, and since they are a small company the cost of moving to electronic records (which they already said was too expensive) might be prohibitive and therefore not reasonable.

I'm so sorry but I think you might need to look for a different job.

I still wonder if there's a way you could just type up your notes, into a template, and print them out onto a sticker that will fit onto the form they want you to use. You would just need pages of printable stickers, correctly sized (they come in all sorts of sizes, and a printer with some ink. How much do you actually have to write each shift? Does it always have to fit into a certain space on the form?

https://www.onlinelabels.com/products/ol125wx?campaign=Shopping+WX&qty=100&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7JOpBhCfARIsAL3bobdXF6s9CwaAi18yqcTa8ctMNGtBGL5p2sFb7RAWy4CcGREOc6V0RVMaAuXxEALw_wcB

For some things, it is a shared paper. Other forms are just to report what you did with your client that day. Another form is to record medication given.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d start looking for another job. I work in an industry with 3 shifts & notes, & I cannot see going back to handwritten notes, for any reason. So if your company is choosing to go back to that, it would make me suspect leadership’s ability to make good long term decisions for the company. I would worry that this is an indication that they will not be around for long.
Also, if they are doing it to cut costs, that makes me suspect they will not be keeping up with fair wage increases. And finally, they are taking away tech skills, so you are adding less to your resume/less marketable for your next job.
For those reasons, I’d take this as a sign to start job hunting.

Op here. I am so bummed because it's otherwise perfect. It's 5 mins from my house. The schedule is perfect as it gives me the flexibility to be at the bus stop for my kids. Living with disabilities is such a pain sometimes. It's already hard enough to be the default parent.

You have no idea what is possible until you ask. For God's sake do not go quitting your job without even asking about this. If the company is 15 employees or larger they have an ADA obligation, and they may like you enough to want to do some work to meet it!