68 WO RLD-CHANGING IDEAS >>
THE IMPACT OF remote work is undeniable : Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become de facto conference rooms , employees have traded business suits for loungewear , and commuting time has shrunk to the few minutes it takes to boot up . But while the media has portrayed adapting to remote work as a new phenomenon , many people with disabilities — myself included — have understood and advocated for it for years .
I was born three months premature , and as such , have multiple disabilities , including cerebral palsy and low vision . In my past career as a special education preschool teacher , I would be tired even before clocking in . Getting to the bus stop , waiting , and then walking were as much a job as my actual job . My cerebral palsy causes me to tire quickly , and the commute robbed me of the precious energy I knew was needed to wrangle young children all day .
Since 2013 , I ’ ve been working from home as a freelance journalist . Not having to commute , and being able to dictate my own terms , have enabled me to be extremely productive , while accessible-tech features like increased text size make it easier for me to read , type , and see things like menu bars on-screen .
“ Companies across all industries need to be more attuned to their employees ’ needs and desires and adjust accordingly ,” says Rath . This is especially crucial for people with disabilities , including disabilities that may not be visible to their coworkers .
“ The ability to work from home allows us to create a more-inclusive environment ,” says Mike Nash , Chief Customer Experience Officer at HP and executive sponsor of HP ’ s Global disAbilities Business Impact Networks for employees . “ It gives us access to talent and IQ that we might otherwise not have .”
Allowing employees more control An important factor in making work accessible for all employees is thinking beyond physical or technical accommodations . Employers must also prioritize “ attitudinal accommodations ”— understanding that remote work is one way to address specific needs and help some employees do their best work , Nash explains .
HP offers a remote or hybrid work option for many employees , as well as accommodations to address workplace challenges if required . The company has also
enhanced accessibility on many of its products . Among the options for its multifunction printers , for example , are a larger display , voice command and screen-reading capabilities , and built-in screen zoom and “ invert colors ” features , which help people with low vision .
“ It ’ s part of our culture of inclusion ,” Nash says . “ We strive to use the right set of technologies and physical accommodations to make sure that a barrier to someone being able to do their work is reduced , if not eliminated .”
Janeen Baynes-Feinberg , Senior Employment Counsel at HP , has been working remotely since she