Guest Post by Patrick Young
The workforce can be an unforgiving place for people with disabilities. Between physical barriers and bias, it’s hard for people with disabilities to find and keep gainful employment. As such, it’s no surprise that people with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled adults, per Mathematica.
However, technology may be changing that. As tech-based solutions like these continue to emerge and evolve, the workforce is becoming a more accessible space for people with disabilities.
Image via Pexels
Online Degree and Certificate Programs
Long associated with for-profit universities and unaccredited diploma mills, online degree programs have shaken off the stigma and are now widely respected by employers. That’s good news for people with disabilities, who can adapt learning to their own schedule and lifestyle. However, it’s still important to do your due diligence when choosing an online university. Search for nonprofit institutions and pay attention to accreditation when selecting a degree program.
Students seeking a degree with great career potential should consider healthcare. Healthcare jobs are among the fastest growing careers. Those interested in working in healthcare can take classes from an accredited university to earn a nursing degree online. While nursing is the most well-known healthcare job, an online healthcare degree can also help people break into health information management, healthcare administration, or nursing informatics.
Other hot online degrees to consider include software engineering, information systems security, information science, and business administration.
Remote Work Opportunities
Online opportunities don’t stop on graduation day. As remote jobs claim an ever larger portion of the workforce, it’s becoming easier for people with disabilities to work from home too. Not only does remote work let people with disabilities avoid many of the accessibility challenges that come with an on-site office, it also allows them to live in low-cost areas without sacrificing a well-paid job. That’s important for people with disabilities, who often have lower incomes than non-disabled adults along with a bevy of disability-related expenses.
Accessible Home Office Design
Working from home doesn’t completely eliminate barriers, however. Home-based workers with disabilities still need an accessible, ergonomic workspace. Luckily, with products like electric height-adjustable desks going mainstream, it’s becoming easier to design an accessible home office without splurging on custom fabrication.
iAccess Life notes smart devices are another great tech solution for the accessible home office. Switches, thermostats, and window treatments that can be controlled by voice command may seem like a small touch, but they make a big impact on everyday convenience for people with disabilities.
Accessible Web Design
It’s not just the physical world that needs to be accessible for people with disabilities. In order for people with disabilities to find, apply for, and maintain jobs, web designers and developers must also consider accessibility. Accessible web design makes it possible for people with disabilities to access the internet using assistive technologies. Accessibility is especially important when it comes to online application systems used to screen applicants for a job.
Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities
Not familiar with assistive technology? This broad term refers to devices, apps, and other technologies that help people with disabilities work, learn, and live their everyday lives. Common assistive technologies in the workplace include:
Screen readers that scan on-screen content and read it aloud.
Screen magnifiers to enlarge text for users with impaired vision.
Closed captioning and subtitles to help hard-of-hearing individuals access video and audio content.
Voice recognition software that allows users to operate a computer with voice command.
Alternative input devices that let users operate a computer using eye tracking, head movement, or other inputs.
In many cases, assistive technology is considered a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. As long it doesn’t pose an undue hardship, employers may be required to provide assistive technologies to employees with disabilities. Luckily, many major tech companies already include accessibility options in their products.
From accessible workspaces to assistive technology, work tends to look different for people with disabilities. However, as technology continues to change the shape of the workforce, the gap between what workers with disabilities need and the needs of their non-disabled colleagues continues to shrink. As online education, remote work, and other tech-based tools continue to grow in popularity, it will only become easier for people with disabilities to find the work they need to thrive.