Across the country; students are walking out in protest of unsafe in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. People with disabilities often fight for this accommodation, and despite their best efforts, are denied.
For me, the ability to work remotely permanently would be a tremendous asset. This has already proven to be true when it comes to seeing my doctors via telehealth. I enjoy having the independence of not being driven to doctor’s appointments. I have total control over my healthcare with virtual visits. It’s a great feeling to be able to have more autonomy, especially when it comes to healthcare.
When it comes to working remotely, this would allow me to be more independent. I would be able to work in an environment where it would already be accessible to me. I wouldn’t have to worry about broken elevators or inaccessible public bathroom stalls if I worked at home. Nor would I worry about poor weather conditions or not having reliable transportation.
When you have a disability, like I do, you can’t just work any job. I’m never going to be working in construction or on a farm. That is perfectly acceptable to me. However, when you find a job that you can actually do, it would help if you had accommodations to help you do your best.
I hope that this pandemic will serve as a catalyst for more home-based working and studying, as well as real dialogues about how to make businesses and schools more accommodating of everyone, not just disabled individuals.
Source:
Meckler, Laura, and Hannah Natanson. “Students, Seeing Lax Coronavirus Protocols, Walk out and Call in Sick to Protest in-Person Classes.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 14 Jan. 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/01/14/students-walkout-covid-safety/.