Editor’s Note: Gleb Tsipursky is CEO of the hybrid work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts and author of the best-seller “Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams.”
Remote work has become a game changer for older individuals with disabilities, offering a solution that not only improves workers’ employment prospects but also brings substantial economic benefits, according to a 2024 study from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
Before the pandemic, many older workers with disabilities faced significant barriers to remaining employed. However, the rise of telework during COVID-19 has enabled this demographic to continue working, and contributing to a more inclusive labor force.
The economic advantages of remote work
The surge in remote work has had a profound impact: The Boston College study shows that employment among individuals aged 51-64 with disabilities is now higher than pre-pandemic levels.
This increase can be attributed almost entirely to remote-capable jobs, which eliminate the need for commuting and provide the flexibility needed to accommodate various health conditions.
The research aligns with a 2023 peer-reviewed study published in Disability Health Journal which found telework had a positive effect on disability employment. While workers with and without disabilities all experienced similar job losses during the COVID-19 recession in 2020, people with disabilities saw a faster recovery in subsequent years — especially in occupations conducive to remote work.
Employment for people with disabilities grew rapidly from Q4 2021 through Q2 2022, outpacing their non-disabled counterparts, particularly in telework and non-front-line roles.
This trend has far-reaching economic implications. Workers with disabilities who might have left the labor force or retired early are now able to stay employed longer, maintaining their income and contributing to economic productivity. This reduces the need for government support through programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance and decreases the economic burden on families and communities.
Moreover, businesses benefit as well, since they can access a larger talent pool.
It’s no wonder, then, that disability advocates raise alarms about stringent RTO mandates, such as Amazon’s recent demand for full-time in-office work, which will seriously endanger employment for workers with disabilities, especially older workers. Such mandates belie the commitments of Amazons and other organizations to inclusivity, without any clear benefits for organizational outcomes.
Removing barriers to a fulfilling professional life
For older individuals with disabilities, remote work eliminates some of the most common obstacles — such as commuting and the physical demands of traditional office environments — that drive individuals out of the labor force.
Moreover, remote work has expanded the employment options available to people with disabilities by making jobs previously out of reach more accessible. For example, roles that require extensive travel or in-person interaction can now be performed from home. This can be especially critical for those managing chronic conditions, providing the flexibility to integrate medical needs into their work schedules.
The Boston College research also highlighted that older workers who had prior experience in remote work or had been employed recently were better positioned to capitalize on the expansion of telework. Those with no prior telework experience or who had been out of the labor force for a long time saw little benefit. This gap suggests that additional support, such as vocational training or targeted job placement programs, is needed to help individuals access the benefits of remote work.
How a tight labor market affects older workers
The positive impact of telework for older workers with disabilities has been magnified by the tight labor market in recent years.
As the economy recovered, the number of job openings quickly outpaced the number of unemployed job seekers. In such a scenario, businesses became more willing to offer flexible working conditions to attract talent, leading to more accessible opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
However, labor market tightness is not a permanent condition and those gains could quickly be reversed. Therefore, it is crucial for both employers and policymakers to recognize the value of maintaining flexible work arrangements to support the long-term employment of older workers with disabilities.
The positive trends seen during the COVID-19 economic recovery contrast sharply with previous recessions. The key difference this time around has been the accelerated adoption of remote work. This structural shift has created a more inclusive labor market, allowing people with disabilities to compete for jobs that were previously inaccessible. Telework has gone from a niche accommodation to a mainstream employment practice, which has fundamentally altered the landscape of disability employment.
The path to a ‘reasonable accomodation’
As businesses and policymakers evaluate the future of work, it is critical to consider the role of remote work in promoting economic inclusion. Sustaining remote work options could have long-lasting benefits for older workers with disabilities. Companies, too, could advance DEI goals and reduce turnover costs.
For policymakers, these trends highlight the need to promote telework as a reasonable accommodation under disability rights laws. This includes enforcing compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and ensuring that workers with disabilities have access to the technology and resources needed to succeed in remote roles.
A win-win for employers, employees
The shift to remote work has been a lifeline for older workers with disabilities, transforming their employment prospects.
While remote work may not be a silver bullet for all workers with disabilities, it has proven to be a highly effective tool for reducing barriers and promoting economic inclusion. However, to sustain these gains, both businesses and policymakers must commit to maintaining flexible work options and supporting ongoing research to understand the long-term impact of remote work on disability employment.
Ultimately, the future of remote work holds promise for creating a more equitable and inclusive workforce, benefiting not only older workers with disabilities but also the broader economy. Considering the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, employers should ensure that remote work continues to be a viable and valuable option for all.
