{"id":372,"date":"2020-06-22T12:56:59","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T16:56:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/myuprightlife.com\/?p=372"},"modified":"2020-06-22T12:57:01","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T16:57:01","slug":"working-with-a-sitting-disability-survey-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myuprightlife.com\/index.php\/2020\/06\/22\/working-with-a-sitting-disability-survey-results\/","title":{"rendered":"Working With a Sitting Disability Survey Results"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Like many workers worldwide, I\u2019ve been stuck between jobs during this coronavirus epidemic. In many ways, it\u2019s been a welcome break. I now have time to work on projects that have been on the back burner for years. Like this blog. But knowing myself as I do, I will eventually need to find work to keep from going crazy, and I\u2019ve certainly been thinking about future career directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a sitting disability does set boundaries on the realm of possibilities. (I do not think I will be a long-haul trucker, or a traveling salesperson.) I was curious about how others in the same boat have navigated workplace challenges. What sorts of jobs do people get? Are they traveling to get there? Are there any accommodations that are particularly helpful?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To answer these questions, I created a survey<\/a>, which I shared on the Sitting Disabilities Facebook group<\/a> on June 14th<\/sup>. Respondents had all previously identified as having a sitting disability, and joined an online support group, which would indicate that sitting disabilities have already had a significant impact on their lives. After a week, I collected the results, and summarize them here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Survey Results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I received 12 responses. (Not a huge number, to be sure. So, grain of salt, I can\u2019t be sure that the answers here would be consistent with trends from a larger population.) Of those, 2 respondents were currently working, 9 were not currently working, and 1 was retired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One surprising result I found was that, of the 10 respondents who were not currently working, 100% said their work status was related to their disability. Granted, survey respondents were a self-selected group, but still, I was not prepared for the unanimous conclusion. Rarely do I see 100% of people agree on anything<\/em>. I am almost certain that, if I asked 10 random people, \u201cDo you want cancer?\u201d at least one would say yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Though the survey didn\u2019t ask about this specifically, the responses make it clear that postural and transportation requirements of holding a job severely limits the opportunities for the sitting disabled. One respondent who does not currently work wrote, \u201cI was no longer able to be an accountant when I wasn’t able to sit for hours at a time.\u201d Another reported that, \u201cI was made redundant nearly 6 years ago and haven’t worked since. I used to lay down in my last job but trying to find a new job where I can do this is very hard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, both working respondents reported that they worked from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sitting<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Though it would be unwise to draw sweeping conclusions based off such a small sample size, I did note that both working respondents noted their limited workplace options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What impact has your sitting disability had on your career choice or prospects?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n