Working With Disabilities

 How do you ask for a telecommuting job while being hired? I'm afraid to ask because I'm afraid they'll try to think of a way to not hire me (it's happened before). What part of the application process should I mention my disability? When is it appropriate to ask if I could telecommute? 

 

For the record, I am hoping to become a web designer. I'm already starting to put together a good portfolio to use when I do start applying full time (I'm in school right now). I'm applying to some jobs around the area to see if I could do something part time, and have even thrown in that I'd be willing to work for less than half the offered starting salary if they let me do at least some days of the week at home. (That's also so I can start somewhere - my resume is a bit weak, anyway, because I'm a student.) The problem is, I've brought it up, and all of them said no. I had even mentioned to one how I will have surgery soon and need to be at home, but they said (after they said they'd be able to work with a student in school) that I wasn't allowed to do that and couldn't apply.

 

I know telecommuting isn't a "reasonable accomodation", but isn't it considered one if they do offer telecommuting as an option? Should I save any emails from employers when they try to not hire me because of my disability? I know I'm a student, but web design can be done entirely from home as long as I go in for their meetings. Couldn't I negotiate something where I go in twice a week, then design for them and send them updates via email once every few hours?

 

I need to update my profile, but I've recently been diagnosed with CRPS and bipolar disorder. Because the treatment for one is bad for the other, I have to take five pills so everything's balanced. This is making me sick, and has even made it impossible to drive.  I am applying for disability (still - it's now on the three year mark), but I want to work. I'm taking classes online.

 hello

 i'm so sorry you are having a rough time.  i too suffer from a mental disability.  while others may disagree, (this is my opinion) I would not ask for telecommuting until after you get the job.  You say they offer it, i would simply casually ask for it, once they say you are hired.  I would not want you to lose the job just because you have a need that you'd be pressing.  i am not sure if that would be a necessary accomodation they would have to meet by law.  you say though that they provide telecommuting, so I would try not to worry too much.  i realize things get really awful when meds dont work out and you have to take alot of pills, i'm sorry about that.  i'd let your doctor know if you can.  i've been placed on medication before that drasticly impacted what I could and could not do, the difference was like night and day, and I dont think thats fair.  

good luck to you

 

 I would agree show up on site and do the job then show how you do stuff from home extra. I have a job working with computers over time I have shown them I need not be on-site to actually do my main job function but still go in most days to deal with well pesky end user computer proplems and even those I can if need be deal with from home. Thing is you have to have a live kicking body gain peoples trust first then move to emote tasks. Heck I sat around the office 8 hours today recovering oh about 1,000 GB server the last part I did from home some 12 hours later. Hardware failure cost them 31k for the day I had lunch breaks and was there as people when is going to be done (me when it is finished) 31k was nothing for the day considering the 120ML data recovered. My stress level was zero I've done it 25 years but it was fun to watch all the people stressing with their billable time I'm on salery 

Hi StoogegirlSilva,

 

Telecommuting is possible, so don't give up!  I have a friend who is a web designer, and he decided to start his own company instead of working for someone else.  He did receive social security disability during the early months, but then his income steadily increased.

 

Obviously anything computer-related has opportunities to work from home.  There are customer service, data entry and virtual assistant positions.  Not to mention, many of the computer networking and software development positions that can be done remotely.

 

So you've definitely selected a career path where the opportunity to work from home exists!

 

DisaboomJobs.com has thousands of job postings from employers known for their commitment to diversity in the workplace.  When searching job postings online, remember to use keywords like "telecommute" to narrow your job search.

 

As a matter of fact, I found this "At Home Technical Support Specialist" position listed today on DisaboomJobs:  http://www.disaboomjobs.com/jobs/3766

 

For more information about companies that have a strong track record of inclusion, check out the following article in Disaboom/Living:

http://www.disaboom.com/Living/employment/how-disability-friendly-is-the-company-where-you-re-applying.aspx

 

~~  Lily  ~~
Site Administrator
www.disaboom.com
www.disaboomjobs.com

 

RE: As a matter of fact, I found this "At Home Technical Support Specialist" position listed today on DisaboomJobs: http://www.disaboomjobs.com/jobs/3766 ............ ............. Please be AWARE THE RULES FOR INCOME ON SSDI AND SSI are VERY different.......... ................ Please get the "red book" by calling 1-800 -772 - 1213 or your local ssa office also ask for "ticket to work" information and P.A.S.S. plan information and instructions.......... ......... Until we get some good advocacy to equalize the supports and opportunities for The separate groups of people with disability ................ remember- IT IS MUCH MORE DIFFICuLT FOR SOMONE ON SSI to manage the bridge between disability and work than it is for SSDI recipients. Be prepared. .......... ............... GET LEGAL OR ADVOCATE ADVICE TOO, IF YOU CAN. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW ALL THE WRITE OFFS AND IF YOU CAN DO A 1099 FORM.......... ............ TRY TO GET SPECIFIC INFORMATION IN WRITING from your SSA WORKER ABOUT MAINTAiNING ANY HEALTH CARE, IHHS OR OTHER BENEFITS you need DURING ANY TRIAL OR OTHER WORK PERIOD.AND ANY HELP YOUR STATE DOR might give , including the preparation of a P.A.S.S. ............. ........... And LEARN at EXACTLY what point you would be permanently cut from being considered disabled and eligible for medical and ssi payments. ........... There is financial and other criteria. ........................ IT'S SOME MORE WORK UP FRONT, AND MORE TO CONSIDER FOR THOSE ON SSI, BUT ONCE YOU GET ALL THE INFO YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR NEEDS AND DO IT RIGHT!........... ......... Having learned myself by some serious hard knocks - .............. ...................... I do recommend you follow no advice- even from "advocates"- that they are not willing to put in WRITING. .............. ........................... THIS IS BUSINESS not friendship.