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Understanding
the law
EEOC
Officer Explains
Sleep Disorders and the ADA
Philadelphia
(Mar. 14, 2001) - Although many people have
never heard of sleep apnea or sleep-related disorders, the federal government
has, and classifies sleep disorders as disabilities in
people who have substantial limits in sleeping, concentrating, or some other
life activity, and may be protected from discrimination in their workplace under the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Ed
McCaffrey, program analyst in the Philadelphia district office of the U.S.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
will be the guest speaker at the Wednesday, April 11, 2001 meeting of Awake In Philly Sleep Apnea Education and Support Group. A.W.A.K.E. is an acronym for Alert,
Well, And Keeping Energetic.
Mr.
McCaffrey will address the Awake In Philly Support Group on the topic of
"Understanding and Interpreting the ADA As It Pertains to Sleep Disorders." Those attending the meeting will learn key terms used in Title I
of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as be offered examples of how to
apply the ADA in the workplace. Mr. McCaffrey will also review the most
effective way to request and craft a reasonable accommodation at your job.
The
meeting begins at 7 p.m., and refreshments are available beginning at 6:30 p.m.
for those attending the meeting. The meeting
will be held in the Hospital of the
University of Pennsylvania's Surgical Conference Room, located in the White
Building. Entering through the main entrance, turn right immediately once
inside the lobby and proceed down the hallway. For detailed directions, someone
at the Information
Desk, located in the main lobby, can assist. Driving directions to the
hospital are located on the Awake In Philly site at http://www.AwakeInPhilly.org/Meetings/directions.htm.
Sleep
disorders are more prevalent than most people believe. Researchers in sleep
medicine believe one in every five people suffers from at least one sleep
disorder. Those disorders include:
-
Sleep
apnea
-
Narcolepsy
-
Periodic
leg movements
-
Insomnia
During
Mr. McCaffrey's talk on "Understanding
and Interpreting the ADA So You Can Use It To Your Advantage," those
attending the meeting will learn key terms used in Title I of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, as well as be offered examples of how to apply the ADA in the
workplace. Mr. McCaffrey will also review the most effective way to request and
craft a reasonable accommodation at your job.
"People
should not have to give up their dignity to get or keep a job," Mr.
McCaffrey said recently. "Workplace harassment is still a major problem in
the U.S. Our society should be able to provide employment to all who are
interested in and qualified for work. The ADA is part of that greater
picture."
As
the program analyst, Mr. McCaffrey is the Philadelphia office's primary speaker
to employer and constituency groups on topics related to the mission of the
Commission, as well as technical issues. He is also the district's primary
resource person on all matters relating to the ADA of 1990, and serves as the
district's training coordinator.
In
addition to his local duties, Mr. McCaffrey has been called upon to serve as a
trainer for EEOC staff at national training conferences, as well as in other
district offices.
Mr.
McCaffrey is also the author of the EEOC's forthcoming publication for
first-level supervisors on how to avoid EEO discrimination when making
employment decisions. Along with Barry Goldman, he co-authored "Why Fair
Treatment Matters" in Synthesis: Law and Public Policy in Higher
Education (Vol. 10, No. 3, Winter, 1999).
In
his 29 years with the EEOC, Mr. McCaffrey has worked in a myriad of positions,
including investigator and supervisor of the investigations into systemic
discrimination. He was selected in November, 1994 to be the office's first
program analyst.
A
Control 3 Home Care Kit, from Maril
Products, will be given away at the meeting. Maril Products donated the Home
Care Kit to Awake In Philly for giveaway at the meeting. See the rules
for all details. Elliott's Amazing
Drinks and Juices sponsor beverages.
Awake In Philly sponsors, in alphabetical order, include Alpine
Medical, Bensalem, PA.; B.F. Ascher &
Co., Inc.; Elliott's Amazing
Drinks and Juices; Fisher and Paykel
Healthcare, Inc.; Hans
Rudolph, Inc.; Maril
Products, makers of Control III Disinfectant; Penn
Center for Sleep Disorders; Respironics,
Inc.; SleepNet Corp.; TalkAboutSleep.com;
and Young's Medical Equipment.
The University of Pennsylvania is conveniently located on several SEPTA bus and trolley routes, as well as being
conveniently located near SEPTA train stations, as well. For public transportation to Penn, please contact SEPTA at 215-580-7800 or visit the SEPTA website at
http://www.septa.org.
Awake In Philly is one of more than 200 local support groups in the national A.W.A.K.E.
network, which is affiliated with the American Sleep Apnea
Association, based in Washington, D.C.
A.W.A.K.E. groups are designed to offer support to anyone who must deal with the impact of sleep apnea, including the patient, the spouse, a co-worker or supervisor, researchers, physicians, attorneys, among others. Everyone is encouraged to attend the meetings.
Contact Dave Jackson
at:
PhillyAWAKE@scoop0901.net
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