RE: ADD/ADHD Problems and Tech Writing/Editing Careers

[Peter Gold <peter -at- knowhowpro -dot- com>]

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes it possible for individuals 
with disabilities (ADD/ADHD are considered disabilities) to request 
reasonable accommodations from employers and public facilities. Asking for 
a quieter location, taller sound-reducing cubicle walls, noise-cancelling 
headphones, or even simply management-level policies that reduce the 
annoyances created by colleagues, are all within the realm of "reasonable."

You might get some help and support within the organization by talking with 
HR, as well as discussing options with your health-care professional. The 
ongoing stress in this situation is a significant threat to one's physical 
and mental health.

From the company's angle, anything that reduces a productive worker's 
efficiency is a cost, so it's in the company's interest to help simply for 
bottom-line reasons.

Have you also tried just asking for common courtesy from your neighbors? If 
you have, and it hasn't gotten anywhere, it's also something to discuss 
with HR.

HTH