Last year, the freelance marketplace Fiverr launched a pilot program called Empower specifically designed to help professionals with disabilities develop their freelance careers. The results were encouraging enough that Fiverr is expanding the program. The company is actively seeking new applicants; you can register here.
Developed in partnership with Open Inclusion, a UK firm that specializes in inclusive research, insight, and design, Fiverr Empower is an online platform that showcases freelance workers with limb loss and other disabilities. This is one of the most overlooked sectors in the labor force, and corporations are finally starting to catch on. The Empower platform serves as a one-stop destination for savvy project managers and HR teams who recognize the unique talents and values of the disabled workforce.
Participants in the Empower program get various forms of support, from professional development workshops to networking resources, one-on-one coaching, and peer support forums. Some of the specific training includes:
- Building a compelling brand profile
- Effective client outreach
- Promoting your services effectively on Fiverr
- Negotiating fees and collecting payments
Fiverr is aligned with the Valuable 500, a global initiative supported by some of the world’s largest corporations. If you’re accepted into the program, you’ll have the chance to market yourself to industry giants such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Canon, Verizon, and HSBC. For more information, visit the Empower home page. To register, fill out this online form.