Why Remote Work Matters for Disability Inclusion
DID YOU KNOW October has both National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and Invisible Disabilities Week (Oct 18-24)?
Back in 2013, I was looking for my first job out of university. The idea of commuting made me nervous - I find walking to and standing on public transit tiring, and I was worried I'd be too tired by the end of the day to do all the domestic upkeep of living alone.
When I came across a job at a nonprofit arts organization that produced a huge South Asian festival, helping run such a massive event seemed impossible. I knew it'd involve being on my feet for hours, which I wasn't sure I could physically do - I'd always avoided the classic retail or restaurant jobs growing up, because I'd be too sore and exhausted being on my feet that regularly.
The main reason I decided to accept the job? It was mostly remote work.
The festival would be exhausting, but a one-time thing to push through. Leading up to and after that, I'd only have to go in to an "office" once a week, and otherwise work from home.
After working my first-ever festival, I was on my feet at least 15 hrs and couldn't walk without limping for a week.
Every year after each festival, I'd be sore for days, and it'd take me a week or two to get back to normal.
But I stayed for 11+ years - partly because I enjoyed it, and partly because even though in the short run it was hard, in the long run it was easier than some alternatives (this photo is from my last festival in 2024!)
What works for me and my disability experience is kind of like a sprint vs a marathon.
I could push through a burst of a busy tiring time, because I was able to rest more outside of festival season. Whereas with an in-person office job, I'd be expending energy more steadily, for a longer time, which is really difficult when you're working with 33% of the physical strength of the average person.
So here's a reminder that remote work isn't a "perk" or a "nice to have" or a "wow they're lucky/must be nice" - it's an important part of keeping workplaces accessible to people with disabilities.
In some cases, it can keep a dedicated, detail-oriented, yay-saying employee around for 11+ years. 💁🏽♀️✨