How to Find the Perfect Work From Home Job as a Disabled Person
Thanks to technology, people with disabilities now have the opportunity to advance their careers. Special computers and software, like Braille keyboards and screen reader programs, are available to help them experience the opportunities that other people have.
Additionally, the rise of online jobs gives a wide range of opportunities for people with disabilities to work and earn a living.
Remote work has given people with disabilities a higher chance for employment in the post-pandemic landscape. According to SHRM, an estimated 5.7 million disabled individuals were employed in just October 2022 alone. This is an increase of 500,000 jobs month on month!
Some industries, such as marketing, advertising, information technology, design, media, and publishing, are more flexible to shift into remote work since most of their work requirements rely on computers and software.
According to Velocity Global, 65% of U.S. tech companies and 46% of U.K. tech companies will maintain or increase their international remote workforce.
Thus, one can say that remote working is far from gone after Covid. So, more opportunities are also available for disabled people to engage in work-from-home jobs.
This guide can help you find the perfect work-from-home job for people with disabilities.
Advantages of Working From Home
Workers, disabled or not, are inclined to work remotely. According to the survey of FlexJobs of 4000 respondents, 65% prefer a full-time remote work arrangement, and 32% prefer a hybrid workplace – a combination of remote work and an in-office setup.
But why do workers prefer the work-from-home setup? Listed below are some of the reasons why:
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Increase in productivity
Global Workplace Analytics reports that remote workers are more productive than their office counterparts. Teleworkers from different companies report a productivity rate increase ranging from 15% to 45%.
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Better work-life balance
According to this survey of Owl Labs, 83% of remote workers believe that being able to work from home – at least some of the time – will make them manage their work-life conflict better.
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Eliminates the inconvenience of transport
Usually, employees see house-to-office distance as an issue since they may experience traffic congestion and pay for transportation costs. But with a work-from-home setup, they don’t have to travel distances anymore.
Available Online Jobs For People with Disabilities
We cannot deny the fact that the disabled population face a lot of barriers in traditional work setups. But now, more and more employers, especially those that offer online jobs, are moving towards a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
You can check these work-from-home jobs for people with disabilities:
Content Writer
As most brands today have their own websites and pages, they are in need of content writers who produce articles or blogs to promote a product or a service. Moreover, a content writer ensures that the written articles are of high quality to boost the SEO of the brand’s website.
Translator
Working as a translator is great for people with disabilities, especially those who are proficient in different languages. You can take in requests for translating and adding subtitles to video content.
Also, you can work through video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom and Skype, to translate conversations between two or more speakers.
Transcriber
Transcriber is another manageable work-from-home job for people with disabilities. This job requires great attention to detail, outstanding listening ability, and accurate transcription of audio or video speeches into text documents.
Virtual Assistant
As its name implies, virtual assistant means doing online assistant tasks for an individual or company. Virtual assistant tasks may include arranging client schedules, responding to inquiries on emails and other platforms, organizing calendars, and creating presentations.
Online Tutor
If you are proficient in particular subjects or languages and can communicate well with other people, online tutoring might be the best remote work for you. Through video conferencing software, you can connect with your students and teach some specific knowledge or skills.
Graphic Designer
Graphic designers create visual designs and layouts for companies to reach and attract potential customers. If you have a talent for graphic design, either by hand or by computer, you can try to work as a graphic designer.
Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives answer customer inquiries, orders, and complaints. This job usually requires excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills since you need to talk to customers who may have some issues about products or services they bought.
Video Editor
As a video editor, you may find yourself as someone who edits videos of special events, like birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and graduation ceremonies.
Aside from these events, video editors can coordinate with corporate marketing teams to post video ads on traditional media platforms and social media sites.
Proofreader and Editor
If you are skilled in grammar and intricate use of written language, you can work as a proofreader and editor for written works. Most proofreaders and editors review books, essays, technical papers, theses, blog content, and other forms of written text to be published.
Chat Operator
This is relatively easier than the options mentioned above. As a chat operator, you don’t need advanced writing, editing, or graphic design skills. If you can type in a chat box, then you can do this! Some websites are in need of chat operators to answer messages from their website visitors and subscribers. This is where you can provide assistance. Learn more here.
Qualifications & Skills to Get an Online Job
Decent skills in computer programs and relevant software. Doing remote work means you have to face your computer several hours per day. So, you should have decent computer skills and know how to use the necessary programs to finish your work error-free and efficiently.
In some remote jobs, such as being a chat operator, the only “software” you will ever need is a chat messenger tool to communicate with customers. That’s it.
Good written and verbal communication. To finish online job tasks right, you have to communicate with your clients and comply with their requests. Thus, excellent and professional written and verbal communication skills are needed if you want to work remotely.
Hardworking and patient. Doing an online job is not always an easy task. You need to work hard, be patient with your clients, and finish the required tasks on time (as in any field of endeavor).
Excellent time management skills. If you are a remote worker, you will definitely have more control over your time. But with poor time management skills, tasks can easily overwhelm you, which may result in substandard outputs.
How to Find the Best Remote Work For You
Now, if you have decided that work-from-home is the best work scheme for you, you can follow the tips below on how to find the best remote work for you:
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Start applying. If you see a vacant position in companies that accommodate work-from-home jobs for people with disabilities, don’t hesitate to apply. Make sure to highlight your skills and work experience.
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Search online job listings. Most online jobs are posted on the internet for a wider reach. There are online job listing sites where you can find work-from-home jobs for people with disabilities, such as CareerCast Disability Network, Upwork, AbilityJobs, and Indeed.
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Create your portfolio. Applicants with an online portfolio have a better chance of getting a job since employers can see their work and help them decide if you can be part of their team.
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Increase your online presence. Aside from an online portfolio, you can make yourself known on social media sites. For instance, if you are a graphic designer, you can post some of your work on Instagram, Tiktok, or Facebook to reach potential clients.
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Build professional network relationships. If you are a freelance remote worker, your past and current clients can be your professional network to get more clients. So, it is best to build a professional relationship with the people you work with.
The Opportunity to Work Online is Limitless
Disabilities should not hinder you from earning a living and reaching your dreams. Huge thanks to technology, people with disabilities now have vast opportunities online.
Working from home is an advantage for disabled people as they don’t need to face the inconvenience of traveling from one place to another. And the work-from-home scheme also results in better productivity and work-life balance, which people with disabilities truly deserve.
If you are a person with a disability, you can work as a content writer, translator, transcriber, virtual assistant, online tutor, graphic designer, customer service representative, video editor, proofreader, editor, and more as the remote work opportunities online are limitless.
Lastly, you can also work as a chat operator for Chatwriters, even as a person with a disability. Join our growing team now.
Chatwriters: Where Your Skills Are Needed
If you are looking for a work-from-home job for people with disabilities, Chatwriters is here for you. Working as a chat operator at Chatwriters is a straightforward job. With just a computer or mobile phone, all you have to do is to respond to chats from users and get paid for every message that you send!
At Chatwriters, you can be a friend to someone and talk about any topic they prefer. Also, you have control over your time, as you can work as little as 1 hour or 10 hours per day as you prefer.
Chatwriters does not discriminate but instead offers equal work opportunities for everyone. If you can converse in English and are at least 18 years of age you can apply at Chatwriters now. It is a decision you will never regret.