People with a disability are twice as likely to be unemployed as those without. Up to 10% of those with a disability are unemployed. But could change be on the horizon, all thanks to the rise of remote work?
Thanks to Psychology Today, The Conversation, The Australian Institute Of Management, and the ABC, we explore how remote work has impacted the workforce participation of people with disabilities.
An emerging trend
Following the pandemic, an interesting trend emerged in several countries, including Australia. Disability employment recovered faster than that of the general population. According to international studies, there has been a 30 per cent increase in disabled people working since 2019. Many have speculated that this is due to the rise of remote work.
What’s clear is that many people with disabilities have wanted to work from home for a long time. However, before the pandemic, many people with disabilities found their requests to work from home were denied. When remote work became increasingly common during the pandemic, the impact on those with disabilities was substantially positive.
Research has shown that companies that advertise remote positions receive, on average, more applications from people with disabilities.
However, disability advocates are concerned these gains could be lost as many organisations begin to wind back working from home arrangements.
So why is working from home so important to those with a disability?
Benefits of remote work for people with a disability
Working remotely has many benefits for people with disabilities.
Helps overcome mobility issues
Many people with disabilities may have mobility issues that can affect their ability to work. For example, they may have difficulty commuting to work. Many office spaces are not designed with disabled people in mind, so they may also find moving around office spaces challenging.
Increased control of work environment
Having control of their work environment is often crucial for those with a disability. For many, managing their disability is easier in the home environment. Large, busy office environments may cause sensory overload for some. Those with conditions such as Autism may find it easier to concentrate in an environment with fewer distractions, such as the home.
Less anxiety
Some people with disabilities may feel anxious working in a crowded office. Working from home may allow them to feel calmer and improve their overall mental health.
Increased flexibility
Remote work provides the opportunity to work flexible hours, which is critical for many people with disabilities. Some may suffer from issues such as pain, fatigue or even seizures. Remote work allows them to take breaks as needed and make up the time later.
Increased productivity
In many cases, the employer also benefits from increased productivity. Two-thirds of disabled employees said they were more productive when working at home. This can be attributed to a reduction in distractions and not having to adjust to an office environment.
Limitations
It should be acknowledged that there are some limitations to people with disabilities working remotely.
Many people with disabilities can become socially isolated. Therefore, they rely on the physical contact that a workplace brings. In addition, many roles typically performed by those with disabilities are not suitable to be undertaken at home.
Increasingly, many companies, including Public Service Resumes, are becoming equal opportunity employers. Allowing those with disabilities to work from home is one way to maximise their employment opportunities.
Are you looking for a new role? Public Service Resumes is proud to support a range of people to achieve their career goals with our services, such as resume and cover letter writing.