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This article seems to fit in with the discussiiions on employment. It's promising to read that a businesss community is addressing some of these issues. Also for good information on workplace accomodations , see Job Accommodation Network, U.S. DOL Office of Disability Employment Policy http://www.jan.wvu.edu and specifically on Accommodating People With Parkinson's Disease http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/PD.html ARTICLE: Coping with chronic illness in the workplace - The Business Journal of Tampa Bay - October 15, 2001 http://tampabay.bcentral.com/tampabay/stories/2001/10/15/editorial3.html Opinion From the October 12, 2001 print edition Guest Column Coping with chronic illness in the workplace Kim Scheeler "Chronic illness lies at the heart of our nation's health care crisis. People with chronic illness are America's most costly and fastest growing group of patients. As a consequence, long-term chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and many others have increased. This affects virtually every family, workplace and community in America. It causes stress, economic distress, loss of productivity and other hardships. The Tampa business community has increasing numbers of employees with chronic health conditions and employees who are caring for family members with chronic health conditions. The combined impact of those affected by chronic illness takes its toll on business and strains relationships between employees, managers and human resources professionals. Most people with chronic illness want to be as independent and productive as possible but may need support from their government, their employer and their community to achieve that goal. How should the Tampa business community accommodate working chronically ill employees and working caregivers? While we may know how to manage most chronic illness through preventative, medical and behavioral measures, how should we manage workers who must make the choice between caring for a loved one, addressing their own health care needs as a result of chronic illness and fulfilling their professional obligations? On Oct. 18, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and WEDU Channel 3 will host the first-ever business round-table event to discuss the impact of chronic illness and caregiving on the workplace. This program is supported by WEDU Channel 3 and Elsie Garner, its senior vice president and chief operating officer. Using the upcoming Fred Friendly Seminars program Who Cares: Chronic Illness in America, airing on WEDU at 9 p.m. on Oct. 25 as a catalyst, members of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce will consider the current and potential impact of chronic illness on the workplace and explore ways to better support working people with chronic conditions and those who care for and about them. We urge you to help us continue this dialogue. The private sector must work together to tackle issues relating to chronic illness in the workplace. The time has come to find new solutions. During the next 20 years, the number of Americans with chronic conditions is expected to increase from 125 million to 157 million. Direct medical costs from chronic care will double to more than $1 trillion -- 80 percent of our nation's health-care spending. Businesses and communities must act now. We need to educate our managers and human resources professionals about how to create policies and practices that allow employees to balance their own chronic health care management and caregiving responsibilities with work and other important aspects of their lives." Kim Scheeler is president and chief executive officer of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn