For the differently-abled, technology has made
it much easier to work in a number of industries. Remote working is becoming
the norm, with home-based job opportunities on the rise. Along with remote
work, remote learning is also easier than ever, making career advancement
possible for those facing mobility challenges. And for those who need
accessible tools for working online, assistive technology is transforming how
differently-abled people can contribute.
Remote learning challenges and
benefits
Attending in-person classes can be difficult
for differently-abled students, especially for those who need additional
assistance for hearing, seeing, or accessing lecture halls and classrooms. For
many students who are differently-abled, online classes can take away those barriers,
allowing for remote learning and career advancement.
However, remote learning scenarios can leave
some students with disabilities behind. Be sure to
find online institutions that are accommodating to your needs, such as
providing learning materials that are compatible with screen readers for the
blind or for those with low vision.
Working from home
With many companies shifting to remote work
this year, it opens up opportunities for differently-abled people to find work
that may have previously been unattainable. By normalizing working from home,
Forbes explains companies open the door to more people with
disabilities.
There are plenty of different work-from-home
job options, whether it’s finding a company that’s hiring for new full-time
staff, or pursuing freelance opportunities. Depending on your career
background, you may value the flexibility of freelancing, which can allow you
to set your own hours. If you choose to be a contractor, consider posting your
skills to online
job boards to connect with potential clients and to pursue projects
that interest you.
If you’d rather have a consistent job where
you can work from home, NPR notes you’ll have far more options to choose from
these days, with most companies allowing remote work for the foreseeable future. It’s a trend that will
allow people with disabilities to pursue careers that were previously difficult
to enter based on mobility issues and could open up new career paths for many.
Assistive technologies
Assistive technologies have transformed how
people with disabilities communicate and work from home. From screen readers to
voice recognition software, there are tools available that make computers far
more accessible than ever before.
For people who are blind or who have limited vision, screen
readers make it possible to work on computers. Screen readers are software programs
that can identify the text on your screen and read it aloud. For those with
limited vision, screen magnifiers help make screen text larger for easier
reading.
Another assistive technology is voice recognition software, which is helpful
for those who have mobility issues such as limb loss or limited hand-use.
Ergonomic keyboards and one-handed keyboards can also be helpful for those who
only have the use of one hand.
For those who don’t have the ability to move a
mouse or use a keyboard to work on a computer, there are devices designed to
help provide assistance. One option is a head pointer, which is a stick or object
mounted directly on a user’s head to allow them to push keys on a keyboard.
Motion tracking or eye tracking is another device that works well
for those who cannot use their hands. This device watches a target, or the eyes
of the user, to interpret where they want to place the mouse pointer.
While having a disability was once a major
barrier to education and finding a job, things have changed: one silver lining
of the pandemic is the collective acceptance—and encouragement—of working and
learning from home. If you’re looking for work, you’ll be eligible for more
positions than ever before, and you’ll likely have plenty of options as a
freelancer as well. Be sure to look into assistive technology that can help you
use a computer from home for work or school.
