Ask Slashdot: Dealing With Disabilities In the Workplace? 292
mpol writes "The job market can be hard right now, depending on your background and location. Having a disability makes things even more interesting. Seven years ago I suffered from a psychosis, and I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I have been recovering quite well, and last year I started searching for a paying job. I found one, but it didn't turn out to be the right place, so I'm back at my volunteer job as web developer. My current workplace is quite unique, as there are several people who have had a psychosis in the past, or have been diagnosed with autism. When I look at myself I know that I have some things that will always play a role: I'm very sensitive to the atmosphere in the workplace for example. I also need clear communication, more so than other people. Furthermore, a workweek of maybe 20-25 hours is the max for me. I tried self-employment, but motivation and discipline are a bit hard to come by, and it's not something that will work for me long-term. In theory it's perfect, in practice not so much. I'm not sure what my short-term future will look like, and for this year I'm quite happy where I am, but next year I might go searching for a salaried job again. I'm wondering if there are more people on Slashdot who have a job in ICT, or are seeking one, and also have disabilities. How did you land at your job, and what issues do you run into in daily practice?"
Re:I think the OP mentioned self-employment (Score:5, Interesting)
In addition to collectives, there are other public places that you might do well in. I sometimes work at the public library. It's generally quiet, and it's not home. There's a cafe' I often work at (I make a point to spend money there, so I don't feel bad using one of the several open tables).
But if you need a routine, then an office might be the place for you.
I might look for government employment. City/County. Very large organizations tend to be better equipped to handle and understand unusual worker needs.
Good luck.
Re:I think the OP mentioned self-employment (Score:4, Interesting)
So I figured out I need a real work environment, and I can't work from home.
FWIW, I have a friend who started working from home, and expressed the same concerns as you. To compensate, he did a few things. First he has a general daily schedule that he follows as strictly as he can. This schedule includes two hours in the middle of his work morning, part of which he uses to cook breakfast for his family before they leave for the day. He logs off email, and lets work calls go to voice mail outside these times. He also has a home office. He only uses the office when he is working. Personal time spent using the computer is done outside of his office. Finally, he hangs his company ID around his neck, just like when he is in a company office. It is a visual indicator to let his family know when he is is working. The point of all of this was to create mental and visual barriers between home and work.
Re:From experience... (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Can't work for 40 hours? (Score:4, Interesting)
>>> sitting in an office for 8 hours a day would be unbearable
Which is why I bring-in a USB drive filled with music, college lectures, and movies. Or listen to newsradio or RT.com. It makes the boredom of the office less-bearable.
And the guy below is correct:
I tried to find a parttime engineering job and it didn't exist. So I just take the fulltime job, with 6 hours of actual productivity, and 2 hours zoning-out when the stress becomes too much (like now).
Re:Oh, I'm talking to everybody (Score:0, Interesting)
BUT I can see an argument for controlling the reproduction and voting rights of such dependents. Otherwise it would be unfair to everyone else and could lead to worse long term problems. If you're a big net cost to society and are dependent on everyone else to keep you alive, sheltered and in good health, then you're not allowed to vote or reproduce (you can have sex, but you legally can't have kids[1]). I think that's fair right?
If you finally succeed in contributing more than you take out then you can vote (but we don't have to include the "debt" from birth, education etc, just keep it simple- money in, money out). And if you contribute a X times more than you take out then you can have X-1 children.
Now if you are fortunate to have a good start this all doesn't apply to you, unless one day you screw up or are unlucky. Then it applies - you get your needs taken care off, but you need to prove you're no longer a pet before those rights get restored.
Harsh? Sure but I think it's better than kicking people to the curb and prison. And less harsh than what Nature has in store for animals that can't bring in as many calories as they need. And less harsh than having children born to people who can't support or take care of them.
[1] If you somehow start one, it either gets aborted or someone else who is not a "Pet" and has enough means, has to volunteer to take care of them.
Schizophrenia (Score:2, Interesting)
I too have schizophrenia and was hospitalized just before xmas. I work as a the sysadmin in an ecommerce company with around 100 servers, in an often stressful environment.
When i first started i had a lot of days sick and my boss took me to one side and said do you want to stay in the job? I thought about how much i love working with linux compared to the often extra hours i need in bed after my illness has affected my sleep and said yes. He replied well if you don't have another day off in six months i won't outsource your job (he knows he cant fire me due to discrimination).
OK so my boss is a dick but the choice is mine. A job i enjoy with people i mostly like, cool tech and going to bed early or sitting around collecting the pittance that is disabled living allowance, bored shitless with little self worth.