Overactive bladder (OAB) can be a disability if it is a long-term condition that substantially affects a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks or participate in activities, such as working or socializing.
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Although some people with OAB may consider themselves to have a disability, they may not always meet the legal criteria for disability support or benefits in the country where they live.
Read on to learn more about whether OAB is a disability, whether people with the condition can get support or benefits, and workplace accommodations.
Whether OAB is a disability can depend on a person’s symptoms and how they define disability.
For some, OAB causes occasional intense urges to use the bathroom. With treatment or medication, these symptoms may be manageable or disappear altogether.
In others, OAB disrupts daily life and significantly affects their well-being. This may constitute a disability.
Defining disability
There are several ways of defining disability. They include:
- The medical model: This
focuses on diagnosing specific conditions that affect how the body functions. - The legal model: This defines disability based on whether a person meets certain criteria for support, benefits, or protection from discrimination.
- The social model: Proponents of this model argue that disability is the result of human-made barriers and not an impairment.
As OAB is a symptom rather than a condition, the medical model of disability might consider a person to have a disability based on what is causing OAB. For example, if the cause is nerve damage, a doctor might view the nerve damage as a disability.
Whether a person meets the legal criteria for disability or not depends on local laws.
In the social model, a person with OAB may have a disability if their environment does not accommodate their needs, such as working in a place that does not allow regular bathroom breaks.
Whether OAB is a chronic condition depends on the underlying cause. Many different conditions can cause OAB, some of which are treatable.
For many people, though, OAB is a chronic condition.
In the United States, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for administering disability benefits. To be eligible, a person must:
- be unable to work sustainably due to a diagnosed long-term condition
- have an impairment that lasts, or is likely to last, for at least 12 months
- have paid enough social security taxes to qualify for benefits, or be the widow or dependent of someone who has
The amount of financial support a person receives will depend on the severity of their symptoms, among other factors.
Even if a person does not qualify for SSA benefits, they may have other options, such as workplace disability programs, worker’s compensation, or income insurance, if they have it. The terms of these programs will vary.
If a person is unsure whether they are eligible for benefits or disagrees with the SSA’s decision in their case, they may need to consult a lawyer.
Yes, people may still be able to work with OAB. However, this will depend on their symptoms, the job they do, and the accommodations they need.
Workplace accommodations
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) entitles a person to reasonable workplace accommodations if they have a condition that impairs at least one significant life activity. Workplace accommodations are minor changes that enable a person with a disability to continue working.
Some examples of accommodations an employer could make include:
- ensuring the person works near an accessible bathroom
- allowing the person to work from home
- reassigning tasks that involve travel or long periods in a car to someone else
- allowing more frequent breaks
Workplaces with 15 or more employees must comply with the ADA. However, additional state and local rules sometimes apply.
In several U.S. states, the Restroom Access Act, also known as Ally’s Law, requires workplaces to have bathrooms. It also requires that people with medical conditions affecting bowel movements or urination have access to a toilet immediately.
Managing OAB at work
When managing OAB at work, it may help to:
- set a schedule for regular bathroom breaks
- learn where all the bathrooms are in the workplace
- sip water throughout the day
- stop drinking water and go to the bathroom before meetings
- avoid OAB triggers, such as caffeine
- wear protective pads or underwear to reduce the chance of leaks
- get a “Just Can’t Wait” bathroom access card, which can allow people to skip restroom queues in certain locations
- keep a change of clothes at work, if possible
Under some circumstances, people with OAB may have protection against disability discrimination.
The ADA prohibits discrimination against anyone with a long-term condition that affects one or more major life functions.
For example, if OAB disrupts work and an employer refuses to grant reasonable accommodations to help a person continue working, this could be a form of disability discrimination.
Other potential examples of disability discrimination include:
- refusing to hire or promote a person because they have OAB
- bullying someone because of their OAB
- punishing them if they object to discriminatory workplace practices
Some states have enacted additional legislation that may offer more protection.
A person with OAB who is unsure about their disability status may need to seek both legal and medical advice.
The process begins with getting a diagnosis from a doctor and understanding whether OAB is likely to be a long-term condition. From there, a person will need to explore the requirements for the type of disability support they are seeking.
People can contact their local SSA field office for application guidance. If a person experiences disability discrimination that the ADA or Restroom Access Act prohibits, it is best for them to consult a lawyer for personalized legal advice.
People may consider overactive bladder (OAB) a disability in some cases. This can depend on a person’s symptoms, the underlying cause of OAB, and how they define disability.
Doctors may consider the condition a symptom of a disability if it occurs due to a long-term impairment, such as nerve damage. However, under the social model of disability, anyone with OAB may identify as disabled if their environment is responsible for limiting what they can do.
No matter what type of support a person with OAB is looking for, they will benefit from an official diagnosis from a doctor. They may need medical documentation to prove their need for workplace accommodations, benefits, or eligibility for protection under the ADA.