Flexible Work Solutions: 10 Part-Time Jobs for Disabled Individuals
The above picture shows a person with a disability at a desk working on his laptop with a co-worker assisting him.
Flexible Work Solutions: Part-Time Jobs for Disabled Individuals
It's estimated around 13% of the United States population lives with some form of disability. Since the national unemployment rate is much lower, it stands to reason that having a disability doesn't automatically mean you can't work.
There are more jobs and technological innovations than ever that allow disabled people to work. There are also many laws in place that make life, and specifically the workplace, more accessible and less discriminatory than at any other point in history. Check out these ten part-time jobs for disabled people and find out if any of them appeal to you.
1. Customer Service Representative
Customer service is an ideal part-time job for people with mobility or vision-related disabilities. It's one of the most widespread sit-down jobs and is of particular interest in the US as companies try to move many outsourced jobs back onto American shores.
It can be quite lucrative because you deal with people (often tricky customers). It only requires knowledge and training in the interface one uses to solve problems and the correspondence method.
The type of part-time job a disabled person can do depends on the disability and its severity. Though anti-discrimination laws protect disabled persons in the job market, one still has to be able to perform the core functions of the role.
2. "Office Jobs"
Many jobs in the white-collar sectors don't require great mobility at all. You can do one of these jobs if you have the right education and vocational training and are at least mobile enough to get to your office or workstation.
Suppose your disability hampers your mobility or hearing but leaves your mind fully active. In that case, you can still work as a bookkeeper, accountant, or even a legal advisor on a part-time basis. These days, you'll even be able to work remotely most of the time.
3. Educational Assistant
Teaching can be a rewarding profession for some people. Your disability does not have to get in the way if that's you.
If you have a disability, you're also in a key position where you can teach kids with similar disabilities to overcome common challenges. You'll also be teaching the kids how to interact with disabled people appropriately.
Jobs in this category include teaching assistant and private tutor. Private tutorship will give you more control over your hours if that's one of your primary concerns.
4. Researcher or Research Assistant
With remote education, you can pursue higher education online if returning to in-person learning is not an option. Academia has many roles for researchers in economics, politics, sociology, and the sciences.
Business relies heavily on research as well. Research skills are crucial to new companies setting up their sales, marketing, and budgeting plans. Helping in these endeavors is also a viable option.
5. Freelance Writer
Freelance writing can take many different forms. People pay writers to tackle everything from great copy to entire ghost-written novels and biographies.
It's a great industry to get involved in on a part-time basis. It's also one of the jobs with the fewest barriers to entry. All you need is WiFi, a device, and good writing skills.
6. Assistant Coach or Trainer
Coaching and training work well for various mild mental and physical disabilities. The constant movement and interaction are rewarding, and it's a part-time job that pays well.
You can make money from selling training programs, virtual coaching, and even meal plans if you have the expertise. This is another part-time job that will allow you to train people with similar disabilities from a knowledgeable position.
7. Sanitation and Custodial Jobs
If you're looking for jobs for a mentally disabled person, you'll want jobs that comprise simple, physical labor. Being a janitor, working as a custodian, or something similar in the sanitation business all fit this description.
These are stable jobs because everyone needs clean facilities, and they pay surprisingly well. However, one drawback is most higher-paying positions are full-time and live-in jobs. The best way around this is to work as part of a cleaning service that does contract work rather than work as part of a building or company's dedicated staff.
8. Store Greeter and Packer
If you're able to work longer shifts but fewer shifts per week, then working the floor of a retail store is something you could do. There are hundreds of thousands of retailers looking for staff, so there's a good chance you'll find something suitable.
Some of the responsibilities include stacking shelves, helping at the checkout, greeting customers, and helping people find what they need. If you have the right training, you could even run a particular department like cosmetics or the electronics section. However, these aren't great jobs for people with anxiety because they can get very fast-paced.
9. Restaurant Chef/Line Cook
People with disabilities often develop marvelous cooking skills. Many restaurants and fast-food establishments need chefs and line cooks and would not only keep you engaged but may even teach you a few new tricks.
These are great jobs for people with learning disabilities and mobility challenges. You can ask for a particular slot, like the morning shift, and you can also advance to management if you enjoy the work.
10. Sales and e-Commerce
Dropshipping, sales, and e-commerce are all excellent choices for entrepreneurial souls. You get to choose how big you want your business to be and how much time you spend on it.
You're not restricted to making and selling physical products; you can also sell code you write to companies. Coding can fetch an incredible hourly wage, even if done part-time.
Sales and e-commerce done exclusively online are ideal for bright people with anxiety-related disabilities or who fall on the autism spectrum.
Find Part-Time Jobs for Disabled People Today
Living with a disability doesn't have to be the end of your working life. There are many full-time and part-time jobs for disabled people to thrive in.
Low-vision accessibility, wheelchair-friendly regulations, and other modern adaptations make every office job, from HR to research, open to everyone. People with mental disabilities can likewise do important work as coaches, janitors, retail workers, and more.
If you're disabled and need a job, we'd be honored to find it for you. DisABLEDperson Inc. is dedicated to finding great jobs for disabled people who want to work. Let us help you today.