Computer Technology Opens a World of Work to Disabled People Danny granatell

Computer Technology Opens a World of Work to Disabled People
David Joachim, New York Times

The development of information technology over the last twenty years has increased globalization making the world smaller and more connected. During this time, outsourcing has become a common method for companies to cut cost using the benefits of technology and the Internet. Many Americans believe that outsourcing and innovative technology has been the reasons for the loss of jobs in America as companies move over seas for cheaper capital and labor. However, the development of new technology has created work opportunity for many disabled people, which have difficulty finding work due to the constraints of their medical conditions.
The evolution of computers, telecommunications, and cheap access to these at home has allowed for disabled people to find a new means of income. The combination of these developments “lets a blind person use a keyboard instead of a mouse to navigate a program, and voice synthesizers that turn text into speech. There are also alternatives to the mouse for people with limited use of their arms.” In one example, Steven Stingley, a quadriplegic as a result of a car accidents twenty years ago is able to field phone calls for Office Depot from his home in Centerville, Utah. Stingley, who works about 20-24 hours a week, said the new technology has allowed him to find consistent employment and income. Another interesting fact is that at home answering agents generally make as much or more than their counterparts in large companies. They are paid anywhere from $10-$20 dollars an hour depending on benefits and commission. This is in large part due to the reduced cost of capital. Companies that outsource their answering service to home agents do need have sunk costs for rent space and utilities expenses. The home agent pays those expenses, which is the price they pay for working at home. Another interesting fact is that the I.R.S. is one of the largest employers of disabled home agents. They currently have over 350 employed disabled home agents in 42 different states that handle customer service calls.
The development of information technology for disabled people is remarkable. Not only has it allowed many disabled people to find a steady means of work and income, but also allows companies to cut costs giving them incentive to higher more disabled workers. These benefits not only help disabled people and companies, but also the public as it allows disabled people to fend for themselves and not depend on government aid. The use of this technology also raises another question about the future of business. The developments of information technology allows for disabled workers to compete for job opportunities by working at home. Could this technology allow disabled workers to become major role players in large companies? As information technology becomes cheaper, faster, and more reliable it is not impossible for one day to have disabled workers to be high-level employees in large companies. The use of advance technology levels the playing field as competition for certain positions becomes more mental than physical as employees can work from home.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/technology/01disable.html?scp=7&sq=computer%20technology&st=cse