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> Even the strongest advocates of the social model of disability wouldn't argue, I don't think, that construction site supervisors must be allowed to work from

by jnovek 2mo ago

> Even the strongest advocates of the social model of disability wouldn't argue, I don't think, that construction site supervisors must be allowed to work from home after setting up some cameras and microphones to monitor what's happening. That is a man of straw! I’m talking about desk jobs, here, and I think that’s pretty clear from my comment above. I don’t know how RTO could be seen as anything but the medical model — Medical model: it is the disabled person’s responsibility to figure out how to function in society. Social model: it is society’s responsibility to accommodate people with disabilities. In any case, I’m actively involved in the disability community and this is one of the biggest — if not the biggest — conversations in the community recent years. WFH/RTO has become the poster-child for the conflict between the medical and social model. This is why I chose it as an example.

SpicyLemonZest 2mo ago
You think (and I do acknowledge that this perspective is very common in the disability community) that desk work is completely different and can be done remotely with no loss. There are many businesses in the US who agree with you; the numbers I've seen are that at least 10-15% of Americans (some sources say 22%) work fully remote jobs. It's good that these opportunities exist, and I would support creating them if they didn't. Other businesses don't agree. Managers at these businesses want people chitchatting with each other, grabbing lunch together, having hallway talks, etc. They think that desk work is at its best when it's a social activity, and often have specific points where they feel their business didn't work as well when Covid forced everyone to stay home. Why does the social model of disability imply that the second group of businesses is wrong, or that we have to override their judgment?
- jnovek 2mo ago
  “ Why does the social model of disability imply that the second group of businesses is wrong, or that we have to override their judgment?” It doesn’t, it claims that WFH is a reasonable accommodation for desk workers and employers need to adapt if they want their disabled employees to be as productive. Don’t worry, though, companies loathe providing WFH accommodation; WFH is my only option and I’ve been unemployed and hunting for months. The arrangement that is most comfortable for able-bodied people is not in danger.

by jnovek 2mo ago

SpicyLemonZest 2mo ago

You think (and I do acknowledge that this perspective is very common in the disability community) that desk work is completely different and can be done remotely with no loss. There are many businesses in the US who agree with you; the numbers I've seen are that at least 10-15% of Americans (some sources say 22%) work fully remote jobs. It's good that these opportunities exist, and I would support creating them if they didn't. Other businesses don't agree. Managers at these businesses want people chitchatting with each other, grabbing lunch together, having hallway talks, etc. They think that desk work is at its best when it's a social activity, and often have specific points where they feel their business didn't work as well when Covid forced everyone to stay home. Why does the social model of disability imply that the second group of businesses is wrong, or that we have to override their judgment?

jnovek 2mo ago
“ Why does the social model of disability imply that the second group of businesses is wrong, or that we have to override their judgment?” It doesn’t, it claims that WFH is a reasonable accommodation for desk workers and employers need to adapt if they want their disabled employees to be as productive. Don’t worry, though, companies loathe providing WFH accommodation; WFH is my only option and I’ve been unemployed and hunting for months. The arrangement that is most comfortable for able-bodied people is not in danger.