EMPLOYMENT ISSUES AND KNOWLEDGE REGARDING ADA OF PERSONS WITH MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

The purpose of this study was to survey both the illness and employmen t patterns of persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as well as examine their knowledge about the potential impact the Americans with Disabili ties Act might have on their careers. Participants included 141 person s with MS who attended support group meetings in a midwestern state wh o volunteered to complete a questionnaire. The results indicate that w hile only two-thirds of those surveyed had heard of ADA, fewer felt th at it would be beneficial to them. Moreover, their knowledge pertained to issues related to accessibility and structural changes in the work environment. They appeared to have limited knowledge concerning job r estructuring and / or accommodations which may be of more critical imp ortance for persons with this disorder.