Just two short years ago, our nation encountered a pandemic that turned the world as we once knew it upside down and ended up costing so many Americans their jobs, livelihood, and in some cases their lives. Unfortunately, time stopped for no-one and we as a global society continued onward, adjusting our day to day lives to fit the ‘new normal’, as we tried our best to stay home for safety of our families, ourselves, and others. This was a very trying time for everyone, as we readjusted, learning along the way just how to navigate through what was expected of us as a collective and what needed to be done individually to remain our best selves. I know for me this really tested my own personal boundaries and made me start to think of things in a larger view.
One thing that we are still dealing with and is not acknowledged as much as it should be, is job loss and getting back into the workforce. This looks different for so many groups and individuals because of what all we gave up and had to change to some degree or another. Those that were considered essential may not see many changes, but those who lost their jobs may find struggles in adjusting and getting back on a regular work schedule. Adopted as a positive working alternative that provided flexibility within our ‘new normal’, this transition allowed working professionals to continue their 9-5 from the comfort of their own home, so they could still be productive for the business but done so in low risk manner. But what about those individuals who may not have the means to work remotely? As we all start to adopt new ways to get back, you may be surprised to find that although more comfortable and rather appealing, it’s a lot harder for some to adjust than others.
When you think of who was impacted most by this, those with disabilities might not be at the top of the list. However, they should be. These disabilities can range from physical to mental ones, and some could be directly caused by the pandemic. Examples of this include being isolated from others or from being sick or injured in some aspect or another. There are also so many factors that go into being able to work from home; such as computer proficiency and access, reliable internet, and the means to be able to have both of them. Many lost their positions because they don’t have access to what is needed in order to work from home, and when you are on a fixed income it could be pretty hard to make large purchases such as a laptop and/or adding internet if they don’t already have that capability.
These are only a handful of the barriers that are faced by this population, but this is something that as an agency we are working to bridge the gap between. Entering 2022, work flexibility shows great promise and could offer options that enable ALL to comfortably maximize their professional success. At the end of the day, disabilities can make a difference and its important for us as a society and workforce to acknowledge that and adjust.
About This Article
ABC Solutions Intake Lead
PROJECT MANAGER + LEAD