Telework and employees with disabilities: Accommodations and funding options.

Authors: Westerlund, D., Granucci, E. A., Gamache, P., & Clark, H. B.
Year Published 2005
Publication Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation
Volume 23
Number 2
Pages 115-122
Publisher IOS Press
Background

Telework or telecommuting are alternative work arrangements that employers are using to meet the changing needs in of the workforce. Some typical telecommuting occupations include: sales representatives, claims adjusters, computer programmers, and customer service representatives.Telecommuting allows organizations to be better meet business needs including more flexibility in meeting the changing expectations of employees. It also increases the labor pool by allowing companies to pursue the non-traditional employee, such as disabled people, retired individuals, older workers, and part-time employees and does not restrict employers or employees to geographical locations. Research is needed about how telework can serve as an accommodation for employees with disabilities.

Purpose

The paper reviewed the literature on telework as an accommodation for individuals with disabilities.This included an examination of the barriers to telework and funding options. Two case studies were presented to illustrate how telework could be used as an accommodation to facilitate return to work of three individuals.

Setting

The interventions (telework) took place in the employees homes.

Sample

A total of 40 students participated in the study. Sixteen students were assigned to the control group and 24 were in the treatment group. The two groups were equivalent on a number of demographic variables including gender, race, medical diagnosis, and Individualized Education Plan category. There was a significant difference between the ages of the treatment and control groups. The age range for both was between 18 and 21.5 years old.

Data Collection

Case study information came from a key informant. Participants were referred to this organization by the state vocational rehabilitation agency for telework skills training and job placement.

Control

Case study information came from a key informant. Participants were referred to this organization by the state vocational rehabilitation agency for telework skills training and job placement.

Findings

The woman in the first case study received training on teleworking and computer skills. Afterwards she went to work for a non profit at 20 hours a week. Initially, she typed and edited reports. Eventually she received more hours to manage a database and mailings. She has worked for 14 years.In the second case study a husband and wife teleworker. The husband was was hired by a non profit to work 20 hours a week as a customer service representative to handle calls during traditional business hours. Nine months later his wife was employed by the same organization doing the same type of work.The jobs also the team to maintain health and manage fatigue.

Conclusions

Telework provides another work option for individuals with disabilities. However, it is not a panacea. More research is needed on how to increase this work option for individuals with disabilities whose interest, life situation and work personality match this work arrangement.

URL http://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-vocational-rehabilitation/jvr00301
Disabilities Orthopedic impairments
Populations Male & Female
Outcomes Employment acquisition | Return to work
NIDILRR Funded Yes
Research Design Case reports
Peer Reviewed Yes