For those with disabilities, shift to remote work has opened doors

Albergo Etico prepares people with disabilities for work in the hotel industry, using training based on the Montessori method. The "download" method helps people learn job skills at their own pace, translating lessons for people with various cognitive abilities. Training begins with their families, doing household chores in their own home. Trainees now work in eight Italian cities, plus three other countries. The investment pays off both economically and socially, as trainees gain autonomy and self-sufficiency.

The Substitute Teacher Training Program in Rhode Island is helping to fill a need for substitute teachers, as well as helping those looking for a job a quick way to find employment. The program is completely free, self-paced, available online, but rigorous nonetheless. Over 1,200 people enrolled in the program when it opened late 2020, and so far 200 people have completed the program and 140 have found employment.

The Daily Moth is a daily online news channel devoted to the news accessible to the deaf community. Recently, the channel's focus is on stories about Covid-19 and the fight for racial justice. The programming elevates the perspective of deaf individuals, from deaf first responders to deaf victims of police violence. The channel provides American Sign Language interpretation of news stories, accurate captions, and uses colors and backdrops that make it fully accessible. Securing funding has been a struggle for the channel, but it continues to deliver potentially lifesaving news to the deaf community.

The Pakistani government uses technology, like a state-owned TV channel that broadcasts content for grades 1-12 and apps sourced for free by ed-tech companies, to help the over 50 million school children without broadband internet or digital device access. The TV channel has over 54 million subscribers and there is a text-messaging service that allows its 250,000 subscribers to talk to professional teachers. Despite the digital divide, the use of educational apps has also skyrocketed since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, technology is not a silver bullet to solve the country’s deep education inequalities.

Gallaudet University has interior design and architecture built with the needs and preferences of people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in mind. By analyzing the effects of lighting, color, space, and other design principles emphatically, restaurants and other public spaces can be similarly accommodating for individuals with different hearing abilities.

ACCESS Development Services trains women to drive electric auto rickshaws, providing them with marketable skills that help them earn a living independently. The all-women Pink City Rickshaw Company employs the women to provide tours throughout the city and has since trained over 200 women.

Disability doula work is the practice of helping a newly disabled person navigate life changes. It typically involves another disabled person sharing knowledge, resources and lived experiences to support someone in need. Through the work if disabled individuals offering services on their own, or through groups like Project LETS, disability doula work can help reduce feelings of shame, grief and loneliness newly disabled people often face.

“AGATEBE” was developed to help make it easier for the elderly and people with disabilities to access toilets. It is a portable, durable, low-cost toilet chair that is easier to use than traditional latrine pits. So far, more than 5,000 have been sold.

The School of Special Needs ensures students with disabilities have equal access to education by making attending school more accessible. Students who attend the school have their fees paid for and are also provided with helpful resources like guiding canes and special typewriters for those with vision impairments.

Jela’s Development Initiatives provides mental health support services through counseling sessions to help people with disabilities identify the causes of depression and resources to care for their mental wellbeing. One of their mental health initiative, Unburden, allows individuals access to free monthly group therapy sessions, experts, and a safe, judgment-free space where they can talk about what’s bothering them and work toward finding possible solutions.