[nabentre] accessible work from home

[Lauren Merryfield]

Hi,

There are so many programs out there where people are supposedly making
money. I am wondering why there aren't more for totally blind people to do
that are accessible. I mean, one could spend a lot of money, time and effort
in those programs, yet not make a thin dime. 

 

I, for one, don't want to hustle family and friends, do cold calling, or
carry inventory in my studio apt-yeah, right. 

 

I want customers coming to me, online, where I am, at home. I suppose that
even when I am out and about, if some business brought me money on the
phone, that might be good, too. 

 

I want something where there is not a huge learning curve; that we could do
even when we are tired or not feeling well, because that is sometimes my
reality. 

 

Several years ago, there was a guy who claimed to be blind who was going to
start a business and employ blind people, but it never got off the ground. I
wonder if there is someone, or a group of some of us, who could come up with
a program as good as any out there and make sure it is accessible and that
the 70%-80% of unemployed could do from home, especially given
transportation issues these days in some locations. Whew, that  was a long
sentence! I tend to do that. 

 

My issues right now are these:I am much more clear about what I *don't* want
to do than what I am willing and able to do; I don't have the cash to start
a business, I don't want to feel like I am reinventing the wheel, I don't
want to do or even learn about a business plan, I need money yesterday, and
I'm getting up there toward the other end of my life, as someone put it. 

 

I remember working for hotel reservations companies and their huge learning
curves, made even more daunting by constant changes they would make, handing
us memos nearly every three days or so. Sometimes we had to unlearn
something we were just getting under our belts. It was difficult to feel
confident and to finish calls as quickly as the companies wanted so they
could make more money. I had thought I'd really like that work with
reservations, but I learned to have reservations about reservations, pun
intended. I did not want to be pushed like we were; the way they do it. The
turnover was something else, too. Peoples' positions changed overnight. It
was way too stressful. I want something now that would not be particularly
stressful, would be helpful to us and to our clients, would be something the
NFB could do and be proud of-we were able to help blind people find
work-that kind of thing. We've done the KNFB reader and other projects, why
not a work-at-home program that would work for many of us, sponsored by the
NFB? 

 

In the programs I've investigated, when I discover how inaccessible they
are, when I bring this to the company's attention, they are most often, not
all that interested in fixing things "for one person." I explain that it
would not be for one person, that there are fifty thousand members of the
NFB and that doesn't count those blind people who are not in the NFB. Maybe
we would bring in more members, too, if we had the work-at-home program some
of us are looking for. 

 

I apologize for not being the one who could do this. I don't have the techy
skills or the business skills. It would be really neat if the Entrepreneurs'
division could accomplish this. if someone more techy and business-wise
could create the program, then those of us who are not as much into that
could do the labor. Or if someone had enough clout in an ongoing program
that they could get the higher-ups to pay attention and want to help blind
people, in particular, PURRhaps that would work. 

 

Sorry I've rambled. But something needs to be done, before it is too late
for some of us. 

Thanks,

Lauren Merryfield

Blessings in Jesus' name! 


"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or
discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." 
Joshua 1:9 


My evangelism blog is at ask in jesus name . org Visit us at catlines . com
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