Upcoming Office Move

Although the date of our office move keeps getting pushed off, it is also getting closer and closer to when we will be moving. No matter what the date, I will be losing control over my immediate work environment as soon as we move. Yikes!

I have to admit that I am still very uneasy about this unknown. The biggest comfort I have is that Bart my Boss has a good idea of what I need and will do what ever he can do to make sure I get reasonable accommodations.

We had a building meeting this past week and I can't say that I feel much more comfortable after the meeting than I did before it. There were four of us in this meeting. Bart, me and two executives in charge of the move. Everyone there knew about my light challenges.

When it came to picking out where I would be sitting, Bart was really good. He would listen to what I had to say and try to guide the others as to what was needed without coming out and saying it was an ADA issue since they already knew that. We're still trying to work with them as much as we can without making too much of a ruckus yet.

The two executives have even had other conversations with the buildings people on what could and couldn't be done to help accommodate me. I can't say that they really understand, but it certainly sounds like they are trying and it really touches me. In the end, I know that Bart will do whatever he can to help me get what I need and I will do what I have to do.

The biggest item I am concerned about with the move is the lighting. This is what is the most out of my control and what is toughest for me to workaround. In the past, I have used my own lighting workaround that was sufficient for me although management was not too keen on how I worked around my lighting issue. I did what I had to do to make it through the day and I will do the same again if needed. I currently have full control over my lighting environment which includes a light switch, blinds and light sleeves that filters the fluorescent lights and some of their flicker.

During our meeting, noise was also brought up during the conversation. They had actually already taken noise into consideration and had not reserved any desks for me that were in any of the main traffic areas. That was really touching especially since I have never said anything about noise because the lighting has always been my biggest concern. I figured if I could get help with the lighting, I could deal with the noise better on my own than I could the lighting.

I also never mentioned some of my other environmental concerns, but if my desk is in the area we picked out, I don't think I will need to worry about smells from the cafeteria, microwaves or bathrooms. I figured I would ask for the item that was the most out of my control and manage the others as best I could. I don't think I have to worry about the smells now and am real thankful for that.

I will have to start putting my plan into action about my noise concern because no matter where I was going to sit, noise was going to be something I was going to have to handle on my own. I have ideas about the noise and will start putting some of my plan into motion soon.

One of the hardest parts about this planning and picking stage right now is that I haven't seen the inside of our 'new' building. They will also be redoing a lot of the inside so any questions I have asked, they really can't answer - such as questions around the positioning or patterns of the lights. I am already expecting them to be uncovered fluorescent bulbs.

There is more to come on the move. Much more to come on where I will be sitting and what ADA accommodations I will end up with. I have worked too hard on my Migraine management to let this be a big obstacle to getting under better control and am happy that I have Bart in my corner to help me through some of the red tape. In the end, I will make sure I get what I need one way or the other. I have to...

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