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Community and Internet Resources

Employment: Work from Home (Telecommuting)

A Closer Look at Work From Home Jobs: Is This Option Right For You?

As more and more companies embrace the flexibility of working from home, the possibility of work is becoming very real for millions of Americans with disabilities. As a matter of fact, many companies ONLY hire at-home workers to fill such roles as customer service representatives, administrative assistants, and sales professionals, among others.

The question is, do you know and have what it takes to successfully work from home? If you think working from home might be a good option for you, here is a checklist to help you prepare for this next exciting step in your career.

Telecommuting Employment Check List

Following are the minimum requirements to successfully work from home.
Personal Traits
  • Self discipline
  • Time management skills
  • Good follow through
  • Motivation
  • Patience
  • Confidence 
    		•  Work Skills
  • Administrative (accuracy, organization)
  • Customer service (professionalism, problem solving, communication)
  • Computer related (data entry, word processing, general PC usage)

     

    		•  Work Space
  • Dedicated workspace (desk, filing cabinets)
  • Quiet, distraction-free room
  • Dependable, updated PC
  • Secure high speed Internet connection
  • Dedicated phone line (not a cell phone)  
    		•

    If you have what it takes to get started, scroll down for a list of reputable work at home businesses.

    If you want to prepare for the opportunity to work from home, contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Office to learn if you qualify for employment services. Be sure to identify your desire to work from home to ensure your work plan accounts for the necessary training and supports you need to successfully work from home. To find your local VR office, visit google.com and search for [your state] vocational rehabilitation.

    National

    New Sign     Alpine Access is a leading outsourcer of call center services using home-based, virtual customer service agents. This company makes specific mention of people with disabilities as a viable pool of candidates. This company does have specific requirements in terms of the home office set up, so you will want to check out these requirements prior to applying.

    Arise Virtual Solutions, in operation since 1997, trains people to be remote call center representatives for national companies. After an initial training period (up to four weeks) you will be accepting and servicing inbound customer service / sales calls from your home. There is an initial investment ranging from $400-$600 to cover the costs of training, required phone and Internet equipment, etc. To learn more about this opportunity, visit their website or call (866) 771-0041. [NOTE: Arise Virtual Solutions (formerly Willow) was featured in a Justice For All news story, a publication distributed by the American Association of People with Disabilities.]

    New Sign FlexJobs is an online professional job service to help you find the best flexible jobs available. Every job is hand-screened and legitimate. Guaranteed.

    J.Lodge provides at-home, part-time customer care positions to college educated individuals with mobility impairments. Employees perform various functions such as call monitoring, inbound or outbound call center agents, database administration, research, and analystics. In addition to having a college degree, candidates must have a working knowledge of a PC and basic computer applications and have a home computer (the computer must meet certain specifications) and suitable home office. For more information, check out their website.

    Lift, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation that qualifies, trains, hires, and places information technology professionals who have physical disabilities with major corporations. Lift has placed professionals in positions such as: programmer-analyst, systems-analyst, software engineer, business analyst, technical writer, technical specialist, network administrator, computer support specialist, data security specialist, database administrator, and more. Services are available in cities throughout the United States. For more information, visit their website or call (908) 226-1193.

    New Sign My Employment Options is a certified Social Security Administration Employment Network for the Ticket to Work Program that links ticket holders to viable work at home jobs. To qualify for these services you must obtain your ticket from the SSA and assign it to My Employment Options. For more details on this process, contact My Employment Options via phone 1-800-441-3114 or email info@myemploymentoptions.com.

    National Telecommuting Institute, Inc. specializes in homebased training and job placement for individuals with disabilities. Working in partnership with employers who have agreed to “go virtual” NTI prepares qualified individuals with disabilities for work primarily as customer service representatives. This program is available to people throughout the United States. For more information, visit their website.

    SSB BART Group is a technology company specializing in accessibility (web, e-learning and applications) and assistive technology products. They proactively hire people with disabilities and may offer work at home opportunities.

    Telework Advisory Group of WorldatWork (formerly the International Telework Association and Council) is committed to advancing telework – the ability to work from anywhere. They offer educational events, distribute publications, disseminate information about telework, and assist businesses and the public to optimize the advantages of working remotely.

    For more on the topic of Employment:

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    [Updated October 11, 2012]
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