A Virtual Universe : Disability , Employment & The Future of The Job Interview

We are in a virtual age, the internet has redefined how we live , work and play. It is creating a whole new cultural landscape of how we conduct our lives to such a degree that essential part of our dailyt existence. For people with disabilities this new 'virtul universe' has opened up a plethora of opportunities providing access to new possibilities that was not avaliable previously. One of these new access points is the job interview. Companies like TMP Worldwide is using the platform of Second Life, an online social networking community that uses 3D graphics to create a fully integrated virtual community where individuals and businesses can connect with one another. This platform is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds to the point where millions of dollars are being spent on the site on a monthly basis. Companies as diverse as Cisco Systems to Major League Baseball have made there presence known. Even universities like Stamford and John Hopkins are providing seminars on Second Life.

What makes this type of platform valuable for people with disabilities isa virtual access to major corporations which can lead to eventual jobs in the 'real' world. But by being using this accessible enviornment to conduct interviews, connect with business leaders TMP Worldwide is creating a new paradigm by which people with disabilities can gain access to the job market. Now, there are still a lot of hurdles to be overcome but this a huge leap foward in progress.