Welcome to another episode of the IDD Health Matters Podcast, hosted by Dr. Craig Escude. In this episode, Dr. Escude talks with Eric Pines, Esq., a nationally recognized federal employment lawyer, mediator, and attorney business coach. Eric discusses his work in advocating for reasonable accommodations for federal employees, particularly veterans, and those with disabilities.

Eric Pines provides insights into his legal practice, emphasizing the importance of understanding and asserting one's rights under laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act. He shares realworld examples, including helping veterans with PTSD secure workfromhome arrangements and assisting a federal employee with epilepsy by having the government build a special workspace.

Eric's credentials are impressive. He represents federal employees and acts as inhouse counsel for over fifty thousand federal employees through his work as a federal employee labor union representative. A former federal employee himself, Eric began his federal employment law career as inhouse counsel for AFGE Local 1923, located at the Social Security Administration’s headquarters and known as the largest federal union local in the world. He presently serves as AFGE 1923’s Chief Counsel, as well as inhouse counsel for all FEMA bargaining unit employees and numerous Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs unions.

The conversation highlights the critical role of accommodations in the workplace and the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in securing these accommodations. Eric underscores the significance of being wellinformed about one’s legal rights and the resources available to assist in obtaining necessary accommodations.

For those seeking more information, Eric recommends the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) at askjan.org, which offers creative solutions and comprehensive guides on accommodations. He also points to his website, Pines Federal (pinesfederal.com), which features a wealth of resources, blogs, and case studies on disability accommodations.

Eric’s passion extends to his own podcast, "Disability Inclusion and Accommodation in the Workplace," where he discusses innovative accommodation solutions and shares stories of individuals who have thrived despite their disabilities. This podcast is available on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

As the episode concludes, Eric encourages listeners to assert their rights and pursue accommodations confidently, reminding them that the law is often on their side when it comes to ensuring equitable treatment in the workplace.

This episode is a valuable resource for anyone interested in disability rights and workplace accommodations, offering practical advice and inspiring stories of advocacy and resilience.