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Telework and people with disabilities "See the Ability not the Disability!"* The European Telework Online site and team welcomes the opportunity to work with people who have disabilities that may inhibit their participation in conventional work and social activities but whose use of the Internet is empowering them to participate in and shape the development of the Information Society and the emerging Global Networked Economy. We also welcome the opportunity to assist people with disabilities to make their voice heard and to gain the full benefits of participation. This page suggests ways in which people with disabilities can make a difference in the Information Society and summarises some of the opportunities the eto site presents. * "See the ability - not the disability" - this wonderful proposition came from Ken Davies of Ability. It sums up very neatly the eto team's perspective - if we make sure that the access ramps for the Information Highway are wide open to people with disabilities, they will make their own unique contributions to the Information Society. In the "built environment" we are now having to retrofit access ramps because we didn't see the need early enough. The time to fix access to the Information Society is now - right at its beginnings - not after all the non-disabled people have shaped it their way. The collective expression "people with disabilities" includes many brilliant and gifted people, some of whom have overcome many barriers to establish a position of fame and influence in society; it includes millions of people who already make a B positive contribution in less visible ways. But it also includes far too many people who are excluded from contributing because we see the disability first and cannot see through it to the ability, or because the way we have shaped yesterdays' world simply presents too many barriers. Let's try to shape tomorrows world with excellent access so that the ability can shine through the disability! Getting connected: Why not join the eto discussion list, where we have no idea who has any kind of disability, unless they choose to tell us, but where we do from time have useful discussions about the opportunities. Share your views with us! Keep informed: if online discussion isn't your scene (or you are just too busy!), join the Information Only email list. Use and contribute to our links pages: if you know of useful links we haven't noticed, tell us about them. Use and contribute to the Frequently Asked Questions: if you have useful hints for people with disabilities working online or seeking work online, or any other relevant topic please send us your draft text - we will fully credit all contributors to FAQs. Of course we welcome FAQ contributions on all relevant topics not just on disabilities aspects. Register an interest in the work of the European Telework Development Initiative: the Initiative has recently launched a Telework and Disability Action Group. Meanwhile here's an extract from a UK report that highlights some of the opportunities and issues. Consider applying to join the eto Site Team - everyone joins on a voluntary basis to start with but it can lead to paid work or business opportunities. It can be a good way to get actively involved, make a contribution and become part of the scene.