There are 7 million
open jobs in America today. And yes, millions of working age people with
disabilities are not getting jobs. Why? Because low expectations and prejudice
are holding too many of us back. We who have disabilities know what we can do.
We can and must succeed. It is imperative that people with disabilities join
the gig economy now. It is also time for agencies whose mission is to improve
the financial health of people with disabilities to focus on the gig economy as
well.
The U.S. is moving
swiftly into the gig economy. More and more people find themselves working
independently. Companies such as UBER and Lyft are quickly replacing taxi
companies with independent drivers using their own cars. Upwork is an online
marketplace to find all kinds of independent workers. Ebay and Amazon make it
easy for small businesses and independent workers to sell their wares online.
It is imperative that people with disabilities join the gig economy now.
In the gig economy
every independent worker must learn how not to feel isolated. Often finding
themselves alone in front of a computer or smartphones they must learn to find
mentors to help guide them. They must create their own daily structures. With
no training or experience, they are expected to do things such as pay taxes,
save for retirement, pay for healthcare, save for sick days and vacation days.
People with disabilities must also learn how working independently will affect
their ability to pay for long-term medical expenses including personal
assistant services, durable medical equipment, long term therapies, and
maintenance drugs. Perhaps most importantly, independent workers must learn how
to effectively market their products and services. Teaching all these skills
should be the focus of agencies wanting to improve employment opportunities for
people with disabilities.
The gig economy
also encourages the creation of small businesses. Undoubtedly, along with being
able to be good independent workers, there are people with disabilities who can
and should be entrepreneurs. Agencies should be incubating and promoting
Disabled Owned Business Enterprises (DOBEs). They should be assisting
entrepreneurs with disabilities find capital, find board members and mentors,
setup and organize, and market the business's products and services. Ideally
the agency that helps capitalize and/or guides the DOBE will be partially
funded by the DOBE.
The type of
businesses that could be DOBEs is endless. Each of the skills listed above
could be its own business. Imagine, for example, a business that does taxes for
independent workers, or a business that help independent workers save. Imagine
a business that provide healthcare or personal assistant services for
independent workers. Many of the functions now done by agencies promoting
employment for people with disabilities might be done even more effectively by
DOBEs. The time might have arrived to move beyond making employers aware of
skills people with disabilities have and having DOBEs run talent agencies providing
employers with the skills they need.
I am very
interested in promoting Disabled Owned Business Enterprise. Please let me know
you if you know any businesses that are 51% or more owned by a person with a
disability or a veteran. I want to make sure they are certified (see DOBE Certification). I also want to add them to the
DOBE page on the Abilicorp website.
It is always
frightening when a change as huge as the gig economy occurs. However, change
often brings new and exciting opportunities. For many people with disabilities
the gig economy will provide the chance to work when, where and how we can and
want to work. It will challenge us to be creative, innovative and resourceful.
Success will totally be ours to aim for and attain.
I
appreciate feedback!
Please
add comments to this or any of my blogs at
Neil's Blogs Disability and
Employment Blogs
