The paradox of "remote working" in Covid-19 pandemic times: disability, inclusion, and accessibility in Brazil

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have adopted social isolation as a strategy to fight and limit the spread of the global crisis of Covid-19, which has impacted organization processes and employee's relationships with one another. Several issues such as the lack of accessibility and adaptations on work routines, that were already present in people with disabilities' life in the work environment are now highlighted, bringing to light theoretical debates and practical discussions about the experience of using technological accommodations as possible strategies for promoting accessibility and inclusion. Based on narratives of people with different corporalities in this contemporary shifting reality, in this article, we aim to reflect on how accessibility issues are being managed in labor practices in Brazil. More precisely, we seek to understand the role and effects of this new use of technology on social inclusion and exclusion of people with disabilities in the times and spaces where they work remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Workplace accommodations during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of the impacts and implications for people with disabilities

“…Eight studies (four primary research [36,38,41,42], three perspective [43][44][45], one secondary analysis [46]) reported that the switch to working from home and other forms of virtual work improved accessibility for some workers with disabilities, such as spinal cord injury, Larsen Syndrome, anxiety disorders and autism. In Okyere et al's global survey of people with disabilities, the positive effects of working from home included increased control over work settings and a more supportive environment [41].…”

“…Interestingly, Adams et al's study of individuals with spinal cord injury found that some individuals, who had already been working remotely prior to the pandemic but who had requested additional accommodations, finally had their requests granted once the pandemic began; however they did not specify the precise reason(s) for why these needs were now being met [36]. In another study, a professor with Larsen Syndrome explained that before the pandemic, he had (unsuccessfully) sought accessibility accommodations to teach remotely, because "being physically in the classroom was not always an option due to his conditions at that time" [42], (para.20). When the opportunity for remote work became a reality due to the pandemic, this represented the "first time he experienced supported employment" [42], (para.20).…”

“…In another study, a professor with Larsen Syndrome explained that before the pandemic, he had (unsuccessfully) sought accessibility accommodations to teach remotely, because "being physically in the classroom was not always an option due to his conditions at that time" [42], (para.20). When the opportunity for remote work became a reality due to the pandemic, this represented the "first time he experienced supported employment" [42], (para.20).…”

“…to working from home Thirteen studies in our review (seven primary research [15,36,38,[40][41][42]56], three secondary analysis [48,55,67] and three perspective [44,45,47]) reported negative impacts for workers with disabilities, including worsened mental and/or physical health, resulting from work from home orders. Seven of these were primary research studies.…”

“…Seven of these were primary research studies. The most reported negative mental health impact on workers with disabilities was increased isolation and/or loneliness, including for those with autism, mobility disabilities, anxiety and depression, and spinal cord injury [36,38,[40][41][42]. Increased isolation was also highlighted in four of the secondary analysis articles [45,48,55,67] and two perspective papers [44,47].…”