Job Accommodation Network
JAN is a free service of the US Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) that provides individualised, expert guidance on job accommodations and the ADA to employers, employees with disabilities, and rehabilitation professionals — including specific AT recommendations for nearly every disability and job type.
About the Job Accommodation Network
JAN was established in 1983 as a service of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped (now ODEP). It is funded by the federal government and provided entirely free of charge to all users — employers, employees, and rehabilitation professionals.
JAN is the premier resource in the United States for practical, individualised guidance on workplace accommodations. Its team of consultants (most of whom have expertise in specific disability areas, AT, ergonomics, or HR) answer questions by phone, email, and chat from hundreds of thousands of users per year.
What they do
Individualised consultation: JAN consultants discuss specific situations — a particular job, a particular disability, a particular employer — and help identify accommodation options. This is not generic advice; JAN consultants research specific accommodations for specific situations and often identify solutions that employers and employees would not have found on their own.
Assistive technology recommendations: JAN is one of the best free resources for specific AT recommendations in employment contexts. Consultants can advise on screen readers for particular software, alternative keyboards for specific conditions, ergonomic adaptations for physical disabilities, AAC options for workplace communication, and much more.
ADA guidance: JAN helps employers understand their obligations and employees understand their rights under the ADA.
Workplace mental health: JAN has extensive resources on accommodations for employees with psychiatric disabilities — an often under-served area.
Key programs and resources
- JAN A-to-Z Database: Searchable database of disabilities and accommodation ideas, including AT recommendations
- SOAR (Searchable Online Accommodation Resource): Detailed guidance by disability type, limitation type, and workplace function
- Employers: JAN assists employers navigating accommodation requests, including cost-benefit analysis (accommodations average $500 and are often free)
- Free consultation: 1-800-526-7234 or askjan.org for chat and email
Who they serve
Any employer or employee in the US, regardless of company size, industry, or disability type. JAN serves people with all types of disabilities in all types of jobs.
Why it matters
JAN's free, expert, individualised consultation service is irreplaceable. For employees seeking accommodations, JAN can identify specific AT solutions they might never have found on their own and help them make the case to their employer. For employers, JAN reduces the perceived difficulty and cost of providing accommodations, helping more people with disabilities stay employed.