Telecommuting Introduction:
For persons with significant disabilities, telework offers the possibility of an accessible, barrier-free workplace, flexible scheduling, and the elimination of disability-related bias or discrimination.
Interest in telework for individuals with disabilities is growing rapidly. A number of public and private organizations have formed for the purpose of assisting individuals with disabilities to either telework in their current job, or to enter a telework occupation, and several State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies have instituted telework projects for their consumers.
A word of warning about exploring the world of Telework: beware of scams! Work-at-home con artists have always preyed most heavily upon senior citizens, the disabled, mothers who want to stay at home with their children, people with low income and few job skills, and people who just want to get rich quick.
Cyberspace is simply the newest arena that scam artists have entered to widen their hunt for more people to dupe. To avoid falling for work-at-home scams, both on- and off-line, look for the following warning signs:
- Overstated claims of product effectiveness;
- Exaggerated claims of potential earnings, profits, or part-time earnings;
- Claims of "inside" information;
- Requirements of money for instructions or products before telling you how the plan works;
- Claims of "no experience necessary."
To verify the authenticity of a Telecommuting opportunity, visit the Better Business Bureau. More information on work-at-home scams.
Telecommuting Opportunities:
- National Telecommuting Institute (NTI) is a unique educational/job-matching organization pioneering the development of telework jobs for Americans with disabilities. NTI staff bring together employers who have agreed to "go virtual," advanced communications technology, and vocational rehabilitation agencies to enable individuals with disabilities to train for and work online in environments that are more easily accessible to them. NTI has developed a working relationship with Wisconsin DVR.
- LiveOps is a leader in work from home opportunities. They have the largest network of independent agents in the nation. Agents are paid for the business services they provide to LiveOps. Typically, agent services include handling order calls or support calls for LiveOps clients.
- N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc. (NEW) is a leading provider of extended service plans and buyer protection programs. NEW operates eight contact centers and a team of more than 200 Work-At-Home agents.
- ARO is a contact center for some of the nation´s leading corporations.
- Arise is a pioneer of virtual call centers. Companies route their calls to Arise's network of Certified Professionals who operate as customer service representatives from their home offices.
- Working Solutions provides call center solutions to corporations. Check out their FAQ page to find out more about employment opportunities.
- Virtual Assistants has opportunities for work at home including medical transcription, virtual assistant, transcription, administrative, data entry, customer service, writing, computer, programming, technical or other legitimate work at home jobs.
Telecommuting Resources:
- The Midwest Institute for Telecommuting Education (MITE) offers a variety of products and services, including Telework training and job placement assistance for persons with disabilities, to individuals and organizations interested in telecommuting as a work option.
- Telework Tools is an introductory gateway into the world of Telework for interested job seekers, service providers, and employers in the United States. Funding is provided by Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.
- TeleworkUSA is an online toolkit developed by Virginia Commonwealth University as a resource for persons with disabilities interested in Telework. This site includes an online resume bank.
- The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA) have established Working for America to provide access to guidance issued by both agencies. Here you will find information for employees who think they might like to telework (or are already doing so), for managers and supervisors who supervise teleworkers, and for agency telework coordinators. Also included are free online courses about Telecommuting.
- WorkSupport.com is a center dedicated to identifying factors that enhance or inhibit businesses from tapping into a pool of potential employees. WorkSupport.com has information, resources, and services regarding the employment of people with disabilities. It has an extensive list of Telecommuting links.
- Creating Opportunities by Recognizing Abilities (CORA) has developed the CORA Works website. CORA's mission is to identify telework opportunities; to train, supervise, and mentor individuals with disabilities and their caretakers to increase work-at-home success ratios. This website promises to have telework job postings in the near future.
- The Telework Coalition is an organization with a mission to promote telework and telecommuting. They have an excellent website with telework resources and job opportunities.
| Back to Top |