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A World In Which People With Disabilities Have Unlimited Employment Opportunities



TELEWORK/TELECOMMUTING RESEARCH PROJECT

TELEWORK/TELECOMMUTING RESEARCH PROJECT

GRANTEES

  1. MITE- MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR TELECOMMUTING EDUCATION, A DIVISION OF RESOURCE, INC.
  2. VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
  3. THE WORKPLACE, INC.

The Telework USA project, also funded by ODEP, provides information on the three ODEP telework projects listed above and additional data on teleworking for individuals with disabilities.

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

  1. Twin Cities, Minnesota
  2. Richmond, Virginia
  3. Bridgeport, Connecticut

PROJECT DURATION

September 2004 - September '06 (36 mos.)

PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED

Identification of barriers encountered by persons with significant disabilities and the viability of telework/telecommuting work arrangement

TARGETS

People with disabilities with special emphasis on returning veterans and individuals on workers compensation.

PROJECT OVERVIEW AND RESEARCH OUTCOMES

Overview: the three research projects will expand the understanding of the full dimensions of telework as an employment option for people with disabilities with emphasis on newly returning veterans with disabilities and individuals on workers compensation. All three projects will employ two complimentary research phases. In Phase One, the individual research teams will investigate and develop strategies likely to yield the largest number of telework positions through national studies of federal, state and private employers. Phase two will involve validation of the national survey data through telework implementation in several pilot sites and conduct of case studies.

Research Outcomes:

  1. Identification of employer conditions and strategies as well as pre- and post-teleworkers job supports and skills, necessary for individuals with disabilities to obtain and sustain telework employment.
  2. Identification of proven strategies for employing and retaining teleworkers with disabilities.
  3. Identification of barriers to the implementation of telework policies.
  4. Customized tool kits for public and private Employers.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office of Disability Employment Policy: (202) 693-7880