Home-Based Online Jobs for People with Disabilities

Home-Based Online Jobs for PWDs

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are 42.65 million employed persons and 2.39 million unemployed persons as of January 2020. The high number of unemployed persons in the country may be accounted for the fact that the majority of Filipinos have difficulty finding a job due to lack of education or opportunities offered in their region, as well as the inconsistency of their skills, specialties, and expertise with the available jobs in the country. Moreover, due to the effects of Covid-19 Pandemic to the country’s economy, the number of unemployed Filipinos may have increased significantly since the beginning of the year. As a result, there has been a steady rise in the number of Filipinos preferring to work from home through online jobs since it provides more advantages in terms of time, money, and accessibility, as well as to cope with the ‘new normal.’

Online Jobs for People with Disabilities

In a country where even the privileged, degree holders and able-bodied persons have difficulty finding a job, then what more for those who belong to the vulnerable and marginalized sectors such as the people with disabilities or those “suffering from restriction or different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in a manner or within the range considered normal for a human being” (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (R.A. No. 7277), 1992). They typically encounter barriers whether as an employee or job applicant due to their disability; misconceptions regarding their capabilities; and the reluctance of employers to hire them. For these reasons, it may be more favorable and beneficial for people with disabilities to also consider home-based online jobs since it provides more accessibility and flexibility for them.

Information Dissemination and Skills Training for People with Disabilities

For people with disabilities to have more access and opportunities in getting a home-based online job, there is a need to strengthen the information campaign regarding it, such as how and where to apply and what are the skills needed to have. The majority of them don’t even know that such opportunities exist that may empower them financially and professionally. In order also to fully equip themselves for online jobs, they can learn the necessary skills through free online tutorials on YouTube or enrolling in online courses such as the ones offered by Filipino Virtual Assistance Academy. The government agencies and non-governmental organizations catering to their needs should also take advantage of the increasing demand for online jobs by formulating and implementing programs, projects, and policies that will allow the people with disabilities to be competitive and adapt in the online world.

These past few months had been difficult for the majority of the Filipinos due to a series of calamities, but let us also not forget to aid especially those who belong to the marginalized sectors as much as we can.