Factors associated with requesting accommodations among people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Almost one million individuals are living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States with a majority being diagnosed when they are in their 20s or early stages of their careers. Employees with MS experience various job-related challenges such as high unemployment and underemployment. Accommodations assist individuals with MS to obtain and maintain employment, yet the current understanding of factors affecting decisions to request or withhold accommodations is limited.

Objective: This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators of workplace accommodation requests among individuals with MS through a qualitative approach.

Methods: Eighty-six participants were recruited from agencies serving individuals with MS in the US. Content analysis was conducted to examine responses to one open-ended question related to their perception of barriers or facilitative strategies to request accommodations.

Results: Ten overarching themes related to barriers and facilitators for requesting accommodations were identified. Among them were three facilitators (i.e., positive work environment, employer compliance and flexibility, and employee self-advocacy and proactivity) and seven barriers (i.e., employers' lack of knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act and accommodations, employers' discrimination and resistance to accommodation requests, employees' fear/anxiety to request due to associated stigma, employees' lack of knowledge about accommodations/disability/resources as well as inaccessible workspace).

Conclusions: Rehabilitation professionals can educate and empower employees with MS to disclose disability and request needed accommodations. Rehabilitation professionals also can educate employers for individuals with MS about their obligations under the laws to provide accommodations and sensitize coworkers of individuals with MS regarding the disability.

Keywords: Barriers; disability; facilitators; multiple sclerosis; workplace.