Statistics reveal that one in three workers will become disabled for a period of 90 days or more during their working years. I have written and spoken extensively on the consequences of a lack of advance preparation, especially when the disability becomes permanent or results in death. What I have not written about is how to handle returning to work when you are impacted by a disability. This article is long overdue.
Before you decide you’re too young to worry about this, let me point out that calls come into the PBA Law Practice Management hotline regarding attorneys young and old. Sudden tragedy or serious illness respects no age. A heart attack or stroke can occur at any time, although we usually tend to think of them as agerelated.
I offer prayers for those actively dealing with any of these issues, whether for themselves, colleagues or family members. I mention this only to let you know that for those who go through one of these experiences and want to return to work, there is usually a way, even if one is left with serious, ongoing impairment.
It will not surprise my regular readers to know that I have resources prepared for these eventualities. I am grateful that I have not often been called upon to send them. I wonder if that is more because people conclude there is no path back to productivity in their work, rather than because of a lack of need of those resources. There is only one way to be sure and that is to get the word out.
Let’s start with the most basic source of assistance. Microsoft has built into its Office suite a number of accessibility features that can be enabled. These features are designed to help people with disabilities use technology more easily, including assisting with vision, mobility (dexterity), neurodiversity and hearing impairments. Even if you have only mild impairment resulting from aging, you may find that accessing some of these features will make your day-to-day work life easier.
These features include things like voice recognition, screen readers, text-tospeech tools, use of an on-screen keyboard to type, voice access to control one’s computer, touch gestures and other ways to make your mouse, keyboard and other input devices easier to use.
In Windows, you can access the commonly used accessibility options right from the sign-in screen. Press the Windows Logo Key + U to open the “Ease of Access” settings. Another way to get to the accessibility options is to click on the Windows icon on your taskbar and open the Settings tab. Choose Accessibility. Wow! You will be amazed at what you can change to make your work life easier.
In more severe cases of disability, the options built into Microsoft aren’t sufficient. When that is the case, you will want to reach out to deeper resources. Start by contacting me for my two resources:
• “Technology Assistance: Where You Can Turn for Help”
• “What is Assistive Technology?”
The first resource includes the various organizations you can contact to assist you. It begins with three patient advocate networks; the people who can assess your unique situation and guide you to the direct resources. Whether you need to know your Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) rights and responsibilities, find supportive networks of people who have conquered the mountains you need to climb, or quickly find products and services in your geographic location, this resource directs you to an appropriate organization(s). (If you find one not listed please let me know so I can add it.)
The second resource is all about the equipment, software and products available to help people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, and more. These range from low-tech devices, including something as simple as pencil holders and special headsets, to extremely high-tech ones and all sorts of technology in between. Prosthetics, mounting and positioning systems, special switches and pointing devices, eye-gaze and head trackers. Yes, your eye-gaze alone can serve as a mouse pointer.
Keep in mind, that my resource on assistive technology is somewhat frozen in time. New advances are made in this field of assistive technology every day.
My second resource is helpful in providing you with an idea of what assistive technology is out there and provides direct links to sellers. If you find the resource that solves your issue, great. But it’s likely that starting with a well-trained patient advocate from the first resource may the best method to get a comprehensive overview of what is out there for your (or your colleague or family member’s) particular challenge. Both options will provide you with information on what exists to assist you and where to get it.
This article is one I hope you never have to come back to, and I hope you never need to ask for the resources I have ready and waiting. But make a mental note that they are available to you should the need arise. Don’t let a minor or major disability sideline you. Don’t let a minor or major disability sideline you. Don’t let limitations caused by natural aging derail your career because it’s too difficult to get your work done. Nowadays, if your spirit to continue is willing, assistive technology can make it possible.
A version of this article originally appeared in the February 17, 2025 issue of Pennsylvania Bar News.
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