Medical Aspects of Disability in Vocational Evaluation Flashcards

Substance use disorders (SUD) affect vocational evaluation because they are recognized under the ADA as:

Answer: A disability when in remission, but current illegal drug use is not protected under the ADA

The ADA protects individuals with SUDs who are in recovery but explicitly excludes individuals currently using illegal drugs from ADA coverage.

When a client has a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which cognitive domain MOST commonly requires accommodation in vocational settings?

Answer: Processing speed, memory, attention, and executive function

TBI frequently impairs multiple cognitive areas—especially processing speed, working memory, attention, and executive functioning—all of which directly affect job performance.

A physician states a client has 'sedentary capacity' per DOT definitions. This means the client can lift:

Answer: Up to 10 pounds occasionally with primarily sitting involved

The DOT defines sedentary work as involving occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds and primarily seated work with limited walking and standing.

Visual impairment classifications for vocational purposes distinguish between:

Answer: Low vision (some usable vision) and blindness (no usable functional vision)

The low vision versus blindness distinction is critical for vocational evaluation because it determines whether accommodations should maximize remaining vision or replace visual input entirely.

The concept of 'compensatory strategies' in vocational evaluation with medical populations refers to:

Answer: Techniques a client uses to work around functional deficits to complete job tasks

Compensatory strategies are self-management techniques—such as note-taking for memory deficits or task chunking for attention issues—that help workers manage limitations on the job.

When reviewing psychiatric records for vocational evaluation, the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score provides information about:

Answer: The overall level of psychological, social, and occupational functioning on a 0-100 scale

The GAF score summarizes overall functional status across psychological, social, and work domains, giving the evaluator a quick benchmark of functional severity.