This document proposes a model for describing job activities to standardize workplace accommodation assessments. It identifies a lack of consistency in how activities are currently described. The proposed model structures job information across multiple levels from general job families and occupations down to specific tasks and body functions. This is intended to improve compatibility with other models and allow identification of accommodation needs and intervention domains. While an improvement, developing a full taxonomy of activities remains challenging. The model also suggests consideration of universal workplace design to accommodate diversity at higher organizational levels.

1. A Model of Job Activity Description for
Workplace Accommodation Assessment
Joaquin Sevilla
2013 Annual Conference
21st June, 2013

3. Driving question
Why are we al the time reinventing the wheel
in this field ?
The field of Job Accommodation

4. A possible answer to explore
We lack of an adequate model that help us to
move from a collection of recipes to a more
scientific approach
In the same way as the atomic model provided a suitable
framework for a comprehensive understanding of chemical
reactions… so the Holy Grail would be a “periodic table” for
job accommodation assessment

5. Some existing models
The International Classification of
Function, Disability and Health (ICF).
World Health Organization, 2001
PEO Model.
Christiensen & Baum 1997

6. Review conclusion
In the way towards a taxonomy of all the
aspects taking place in job performance,
job activity (the occupation) is not well
covered
Person and environment can be
more accurately described by the ICF

7. Models for job description
There are different approaches.
None was derived for accommodation purposes

8. What really is “activity”?
There is not a well
defined set of terms to
describe “what
someone is doing”
unambiguously :
Task
Activity
Action
…

9. The proposed idea
Level Name Characteristic (definition)
3 Job Family General clases of occupations
JD 2 Occupation type of job, across companies
1 Job title A job in a company
0 Position A particular person in a job
-1 Activity responsibility assigned
JA -2 Task Action with an objective
-3 Task(F) Body function stated activity
-4 Task(S) Bosy structure stated activity
Abstractconstruct
Generic activity
RealJob-specific
activity
ActivityJobdescription
Loosing
particularity
Loosing job
specificity
A structured hierarchy of levels
The final version resumes -3 and -4 in a single level, it was really difficult to tell…

10. Level 0 Level -1 Level -2 Level -2
Position Activity Task Tasks
Reach the entrance mailbox
Open the mailbox
Take the letters pack
Reach to the desk (with the pack)
Place pack on the table
Sit by the table
Pick one envelop (*)
Read recipient name
Verify is correct
Place the envelop in its place on the table
(goto next envelop)
Stand up
Walk to the other side of the desk
Pic the pack of letter to one person
Place it in its mail box
(go to next pack)
[End task]
Outcoming mail
sending
Others
Task (Lv -2) Task(F) (Lv -3)
Extend arm
Touch envelop with the finger
Drag the envelop
Close thumb toward fingers
Clamp the letter
Close elbow approaching letter to face
Office
Assistant
xyz
Incoming mail
delivery
Receiving incoming
mail
Sorting incoming
mail
deliver incoming
mial
(*) Pick one
envelop

11. Level 0 Level -1 Level -2 Level -2
Position Activities Task Task
Prepare fried onion
Pick onions from the
container Find a knife
Prepare fired bacon Peal onions Find a chopping table
Prepare sandwiches Chop onions place onion in chop. t.
Pack sandwiches Turn on fitrrplace Cut both tops
Prepare salads Place pan on fireplace
turn onion and place
standing on the chopping
table
Prepare sauces place oil on the pan
Cut vertically the outer
layers
Prepare fruit chunks
Decide adequate
temperature
Strip off the rest of the
outer layers
Maintain filled the fruit and
vegetable containers
Plave onion on the pan
Keep kitchenstore
organized
Stirr
Indicate low stocks when
happens
Decide when it is done
Remove onion from the
pan
Level 3 Job
Family (from
O*Net)
Food Preparation and
Serving Related
Level 2
Occupation (from
O*Net)
35-2021.00 - Food
Preparation Workers
Kitchen assistant

12. Level Name Characteristic (definition)
3 Job Family General clases of occupations
JD 2 Occupation type of job, across companies
1 Job title A job in a company
0 Position A particular person in a job
-1 Activity responsibility assigned
JA -2 Task Action with an objective
-3 Task(F) Body function stated activity
-4 Task(S) Bosy structure stated activity
Level -2 complexity

13. What is this useful for?
I. Standardization of Assessments
II. Compatibility
III. Identification of intervention domains

14. What is this useful for? I.
Standardization of Assessments
Would require further work to create a real
taxonomy over the model structure (like
growing leaves in branches)
It appears a difficult task…

15. PEO Model Level Name ICF Model
3 Job Family
2 Occupation
1 Job title
Occupation 0 Position
Person -1 Activity Activity
Environment -2 Task Contextual factors
-3 Task(F) Body functions
-4 Task(S) Body structure
What is this useful for? II.
Crosswalks with previous models
Compatibility. The proposed model is a structure
superimposed to procedures already being used

16. What is this useful for? III.
Identification of intervention domains:
-Organizational
-Personal
-Environmental
-Clinical
Work organization,
independent of workers and
environments that takes into
account functional diversity, a
kind of Universally Designed
Workplace (levels 1, 0)
Typical accommodation considering details
of person and environment (levels -1, -2)
Restoration of structural capacity or function improvement derived
from medical intervention or rehabilitation (levels -3)

17. Conclusions
• To improve accommodation assessment
standardization, an Activity Taxonomy is needed
• The proposed model reduces the problem and
formulate it in clear terms
• But it is not solved (level -2 remains too complex)
• The organizational level of intervention (Universally
designed workplaces) is an interesting finding

18. An applied, scientific publication in the interdisciplinary field
of technology for people with disabilities
Now accepting submissions
Go to: http://resna.org/at-journal/information-for-authors.dot