Augmented HR Solutions

Praise for Making It Work

In her book, Making it Work: Managing Your Health Condition Through ADA Workplace Accommodations, author Sheryl Ellis demystifies the complexities of the Americans with Disabilities Act and reasonable accommodations in employment. This well-written, comprehensive, and compassionate book is a valuable resource for employees and employers alike. Sheryl shares her invaluable experience as a person with a disability requesting workplace accommodations, as well as her work as a human resources professional evaluating requests for similar accommodations. The numerous resources provided in the appendices are an added bonus and make this book priceless for anyone who truly wants to understand employment requirements set forth in the ADA. One of the highest compliments I can give is to say, “This book makes the process simple.”

— Gail Himes, City of Tacoma ADA Coordinator

Author Sheryl Ellis provides information on the law, but then moves quickly into practical applications. [At the Job Accommodation Network,] we take a similar approach. We find that people want to work and need guidance on how to approach their employers about accommodations they need to be productive. Making It Work encourages individuals to be proactive in their approach to workplace accommodations. The examples and tools provided will be very useful for individuals with disabilities who are navigating the accommodation process.

—Linda Batiste, JD, Principal Consultant/Legislative Specialist, Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

This is a must-read for anyone who is experiencing a medical issue in the workforce. Author Sheryl Ellis walks you through what the ADA law says in layman’s terms. She tells you, step by step, how to request an accommodation from your employer, what your employer’s responsibilities and typical responses will be, the process to follow when you hit roadblocks with your manager or human resources department, and tips on how to manage your health condition. The advice and guidance on how to approach your employer to resolve issues of workplace accommodation is priceless. I followed Sheryl’s advice and was able to save my job after I was injured in a car accident. By knowing what to do and what to expect when contacting my employer about my injuries, my stress levels decreased and I was able to focus on getting well, instead of worrying if I still had a job.

Michelle Pedersen, PT, MSPT, CLT

As an HR professional, I was most impressed that this is a one-source guide—comprehensive, explained simply, and focused on the employee’s own health. The description of the history and purpose of the ADA was outstanding. The picture of life before the ADA really makes one understand the significance of the Act.

This book will fill a large void in the world of the ADA, not only for the employee, but for the employer.

—Juanita H. Nañez, Human Resources and Diversity Consultant, The Hopkins Group

A wonderful book full of important information for employees who are dealing with ADA issues at work. The book covers a lot of information, but it is delivered in concise chunks that are easy to absorb. As a person who has a disability, along with a chronic medical condition, I found this book to be an invaluable source of information for navigating my way through the ADA and FMLA issues that I have faced at work.

—Gary Peterson, Employee of a Major Airline

Making it Work is a book that is long overdue for both employees impacted by a disability and for professionals managing leave and accommodations in the human resources field. The most beneficial aspect of this book is that you don’t need to be an expert in HR or accessibility issues to understand the information presented.

The book is written and organized in a handbook format that helps the reader logically navigate a complex and sometimes overwhelming topic. It typifies best practices, showing how good faith efforts can lead to more successful outcomes.

One consistent theme is demonstrated throughout the book: that the accommodation process is a negotiation and shared effort between the employer and the employee seeking the accommodation. Making It Work addresses how to handle situations throughout the accommodation process and offers tips on when to probe into other state-level requirements, depending on where you are employed. I have colleagues and friends who would benefit greatly from the expert advice offered here.

Kim Dang, Senior Program Manager, Accessibility