Flexible work critics use arguments similar to those used against disabled ramps and closed captioning. Access equity should always be mandatory.
Flexible work critics use arguments similar to those used against disabled ramps and closed captioning. Access equity should always be mandatory.
The Power of Hybrid: Unlocking Accessibility and Opportunity for the Autism Community
At its core, disability accommodation is about ensuring “equity of access,” a principle that should never be optional. The disability community has long recognized this and has been advocating for the flexibility of hybrid work models as an accommodation. In the pre-pandemic era, it was often believed that such models were not possible or financially viable. However, when the world faced the need for remote work, these hybrid models suddenly became “convenient” and “financially viable” overnight.
The notion of financial viability as an excuse is not new. It was used to justify the lack of architectural modifications like ramps for the physically disabled before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990. It was also used to delay the implementation of closed captioning for the deaf. But in reality, these accommodations benefit not only the disabled but also others, such as young mothers with strollers or individuals with suitcases.
It is disheartening to witness companies like Twitter and Amazon pushing for a complete return to in-person work. This sets a dangerous precedent that accommodations for autism are optional and only provided when convenient. Instead of discarding hybrid work models, we should focus on technological advancements that can lower costs and facilitate their implementation. Hybrid work, as an accommodation, addresses some of the core challenges faced by individuals with autism – social communication difficulties and sensory sensitivities.
Moreover, hybrid environments open up opportunities and spaces that were previously inaccessible to a large segment of the autistic population, particularly in education and employment. These models not only improve accessibility but also lead to increased productivity among disabled individuals. While mainstream discussions often focus on the perceived reduction in networking and socialization, these very aspects contribute to the productivity of many disabled people, including those in the autism community.
As an autistic individual and a Ph.D. student who researches autism, I personally face challenges when it comes to traveling to academic conferences. With hybrid conferences, autistic participants would have the option to attend remotely or select specific sessions based on their sensory needs. This alleviates the stress of navigating unfamiliar and overwhelming in-person experiences for multiple days.
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Traveling, with its chaotic airports, claustrophobic flights, strange hotels, and unfamiliar environments, disrupts the comfort of familiar routines and spaces that individuals with autism often rely on. The “social” aspect of conferences and workplaces can be overwhelming for many autistics, considering social communication issues are a core feature of autism. The sensory overload experienced at large conferences can render an autistic individual unable to function. Even with the provision of a “sensory break” room, there is the challenge of multiple autistics requiring access to that space simultaneously.
Even within the autism community, there are disagreements over what constitutes reasonable accommodations. Factors as seemingly simple as lighting can clash, with some autistics needing dim lighting for comfort, while others require bright lighting for better visual perception. Accommodations can also vary, such as the presence of emotional support dogs, which some autistics rely on while others have a fear of dogs. Determining whose needs take priority becomes a difficult task. These are questions that the autism community must grapple with.
For individuals like myself, and many others, hybrid work is not just a convenience – it is a necessary and reasonable accommodation. It unlocks accessibility, opportunities, and productivity for people with autism. As we continue to navigate the post-pandemic world, it is imperative that we acknowledge and prioritize the importance of hybrid models in creating an inclusive and accommodating society.
Hari Srinivasan is a Ph.D. Neuroscience Student at Vanderbilt, a PD Soros Fellow, a Public Voices Fellow of The OpEd Project, a Fellow at the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation, and a non-federal member of NIMH’s Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.
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