How some simple tech adjustments can help you work with arthritis

Alex.Barker | 21 Aug 2017

Monday morning, in my slightly dozy state I was half listening to the radio. The BBC was running a piece on arthritis linking in to a new campaign published by Arthritis Research UK  - The Nation's Joint Problem.

Several things occured to me while listening to the piece. The main thing was that they were interviewing people in their 20s and 30s.  Most of the clients that we talk to about arthritis tend to be much older. Some of them have retired or don't have too much of their working lives left.

screenshot of arthritis research UK The Nation's Joint Problem report

If you're in your twenties and have arthritis, can you still work?

The campaign focuses on the charity's new report titled the State of Musculoskeletal Health, which examines all the working days that might be lost by people who have arthritis. We like to focus on how people can continue working with different conditions, should they wish to. Through having a bit of knowledge about what technology and computers can do to support someone, simple adjustments can often make a really big difference. We can even send a free volunteer to help you get to grips with new ways of working with tech. 

Can you get help to work with arthritis?

If you're a student with a disability or chronic condition or someone in work with a disability or chronic condition and you need help to continue working, we'll offer you plenty of advice and support. 

The campaign highlights that there are over 10 million people living with arthritis and the fact that the condition can cause high levels of daily pain and fatigue.

Nigel Lewis, CEO of AbilityNet, commented: "The National Joint Problem report launched this week by Arthritis Research UK highlights how critical workplace reasonable adjustment is to help reduce some of the 25.1 million days lost to the UK economy (through arthritis). Arthritis is just one condition that can be helped when employers make reasonable adjustments to support their staff to get into and stay in work, which not only benefits the economy, but more importantly helps the individuals throughout their lives."