How the Gig Economy impacts People with Disabilities

Participating in the gig economy is a mixed bag and not even always available to people with disabilities

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last five years, a gig economy engagement is defined as full-time or part time contract as an independent workers for a short-term engagements.

With more than 36 percent of U.S. workers participating in a gig work arrangement, gigs have gone from being something reserved for musicians to something deeply entrenched in our social consciousness as both providers and participants.

Some of the benefits frequently cited by gig economy proponents include freedom, flexibility and low business overhead. Technology is a central requirement to perform gig freelance work. Only a smartphone and access to WiFi or an unlimited data plan are required, and most participants are good to go.

Upsides

Freedom and flexibility are highly beneficial to people with disabilities. People with disabilities are more likely for example to need time off for doctors appointments, therapy sessions, or to just rest if they don’t have the stamina to work more than a couple of hours consecutively. While those restrictions make it hard to hold down a full-time job, participating in a “gig economy” where one can work any…