Employment With a Disability Resource Guide
Employment With a Disability Resource Guide

Employment With a Disability Resource Guide

In the current economic market, getting a job is a difficult feat.

Job searching can involve what seems like endless emails, rewritten resumes and interview after interview, all in search of one’s dream job.

However, for some, the search for employment can be even more challenging. If you’re a person living with a disability, questions may come up that another job seeker may not have to answer.

You may wonder how a place of employment would make accommodations for you, or if there are certain companies that focus on helping people with disabilities find employment.

This guide has that information and more.

Table of Contents

  1. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Government Resources
  2. Transitional Programs for People with Disabilities
  3. Job Seeking Strategies for People with Disabilities
  4. Resources for Employers
  5. People First Language
  6. Social Media Groups and Organizations
  7. Disability Podcasts
  8. Blogs about Living and Working as a Person with a Disability
  9. Books About Living and Working with a Disability
#ada-resources

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Government Resources

1

The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, is a civil rights law. Enacted in 1990, the law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the workplace, at school, in transportation and in all public and private spaces that are open to the general public.

The law was established to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. You can learn more about the ADA by visiting any of the following Internet resources.

As defined by the ADA, a disabled individual is someone who
  • Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
  • Has a record of such an impairment; or
  • Is regarded as having such an impairment (even in the absence of an actual disability)
#transitional-programs

Transitional Programs for People with Disabilities

2

After a person with a disability completes high school or reaches the age of 18 years old, there are “transitional programs” that can teach a person with a physical or intellectual disability life skills and offer job training to help them secure employment.

Below, you will find examples of transitional programs.

#job-seeking

Job Seeking Strategies for People with Disabilities

3

VelvetJobs Expert Tip

Believe in yourself.

Due to your disability you may feel you're not capable of doing the job but you must believe in yourself. If you don't project that belief yourself, nobody else will believe it.

VelvetJobs Expert Tip

Like any job interview focus on what you can do instead of what you can't do and only discuss what's necessary about your ability. If you have to confront it then make sure you let the interviewer know it doesn't affect your ability to do the job.

#employer-resources

Resources for Employers

4

In hiring a person with a disability, employers may wonder what sort of accommodations they are expected to provide, how medical leave works, as well as what is constituted as a disability.

Here are several resources to get an employer familiar with the rules and laws that outline employment rights for a person with a disability.

#people-first-language

People First Language

5

People first language is an important part of addressing those with disabilities, whether you are in the workplace or not. Using people first language, one would say “a person with cerebral palsy” to focus on the fact that they're a person with their own interests and desires first, and that the disability comes second.

Incorrect

Describing a person as,

  • crazy, insane, psycho, mentally ill, emotionally disturbed or demented

Correct

Describing a person as,

  • diagnosed with a mental health condition

A person who uses a wheelchair isn’t described as “having an issue walking,” they say that they need or use a wheelchair.

Here are some resources where you can learn more about people first language.

#social-media

Social Media Groups and Organizations

6

In the digital age more and more social groups now connect online with an abundance of advice and support between people. These social media, forum groups and organizations will provide plenty of support on a wide array of career disability issues.

Dream College Disability provide a comprehensive list of student campus clubs and organizations plus national organizations with campus based groups.

#disability-podcasts

Disability Podcasts

7

There are several podcasts about living and working with a disability. Here are a few worth checking out.

#blogs

Blogs about Living and Working as a Person with a Disability

8

#books

Books About Living and Working with a Disability

9

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