Jobs for Disabled People: 7 Big Tips for Getting Hired With a Disability in 2020

Are you looking for a job? Are you struggling to find one because of your disability? 

A recent report revealed that over 56 million Americans are living with a disability. The employment rate for disabled Americans rose to 37%. But there is still a huge gap between disabled and non-disable Americans who have work. 

As much as people want equal opportunities, certain factors still make it challenging for disabled people. Thus, you need to step up your efforts when searching for jobs for disabled people.

But how does a disabled person get that job? How can he cope in today’s fast-paced world? 

Continue reading below as we give you some of the most effective tips that will help you land that job that you want.

Opportunities for the Disabled

As we mentioned earlier, the gap between the disabled and non-disabled Americans remain significantly huge. Moreover, experts note that people with disabilities do not enjoy enough benefits.

All of these factors translate to the flat job numbers for disabled people. 

Nevertheless, there is still a ray of light on the horizon. Several companies offer jobs for disabled people. These companies include big names like Barclays, AT&T, Accenture, and Disney, among many others. 

As a disabled person, you need to take advantage of any job opportunity you encounter. The best way to do so is to make a strong first impression on prospective employers.

Jobs for Disabled People: Tips for Securing One

Making a strong first impression during your interview involves more than your resume. You need to identify some important factors employers consider when hiring disabled people. You need to use them to your advantage. 

Here are seven big tips that will increase your chances in the eyes of employers.

Know What’s In-Demand

Before you go job-hunting, you need to get a feel of the employment environment in your area. Find out what type of skills are in-demand among disabled jobseekers. 

It is important to note that some skills continue to evolve. Others are simply superior when it comes to demand. 

With today’s growing dependence on computers, you will find opportunities in tech-related industries. Furthermore, several companies are always on the hunt for people with knowledge in actuary and market research analysis. 

Research on the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to see what’s hot and what’s not.

Highlight Your Abilities

Being disabled doesn’t mean you no longer have any abilities. Thus, you need to learn how to highlight your strengths and talents. This is essential when it comes to matching your skills to the job you are applying for. 

Do this by writing a solid resume and giving your best during the interview (more on interviews later). List your skills and explain how you can contribute to the company through them.

You want to focus on what you can do, rather than what you cannot. If your disability involves your hearing or vision, tell the interviewer about it. Let them know about the processes that helped you excel in your previous job. 

Clarify Your Work History

If you have previous job experience, you need to explain clearly your work history during your interview. This is crucial especially if you have gaps in your work history. 

The rule of thumb is to be honest with your prospective employer. You need to explain the details of why you had to stop working for a certain period. If the reason is your health, you need to tell them about it. 

After explaining the gaps in your work history, shift to how you became an asset in your previous workplace. Focus on your milestones and achievements at work.

The key is leveraging your job experience.

Understand the Disability Disclosure

Though being honest with your interviewer is important, it doesn’t mean you need to share everything all the time. You need to know what to share and when you need to.

This is the key to understanding the aspect of disability disclosure. This may surprise first-time job hunters but they don’t need to disclose their disability on their resume. The same thing goes for their cover letter.

Share only the things that you are comfortable with. Remember that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects you from any form of discrimination due to your disability.

This means your prospective employer cannot ask you questions concerning your disability.

However, you need to discern if you need to disclose your condition. For example, if your disability keeps you from taking the stairs, then you need to tell your employer about it. This will help you request for special accommodations.

Request for Accommodation

In line with disclosing your disability, you need to talk to the interviewer about accommodations if you need one. If you used certain accommodations that helped you in your previous work, tell the interviewer about it. 

Did your condition require you to work flexible hours? Do you need to work from home on certain days? Do you require screen-reading software?

Don’t hesitate to ask about these things. 57% of these accommodations will not cost employers anything. 

Use Job-Hunting Resources

With technology right within your fingertips, you need to use various job-hunting resources. Go online and you will find articles that will guide you in your job-hunting. 

Get all the information that you can on prospective companies. Read up on comments and feedback from disabled applicants regarding their experiences.

Practice, Practice, and More Practice

Last but not least, you need to practice before heading to that interview. Practicing multiple times a day builds your confidence. It allows you to master the things you need to say.

Have a friend or relative act as your interviewer. Conduct a mock interview. Tell your friend to give you feedback after the exercise and repeat the entire process.

Let’s Get You That Job, Today!

Finding jobs for disabled people is challenging. By following these tips above, your search becomes easier. But if job-hunting remains tough, we can help point you in the right direction.

Connect with us today and send us your resume. Check out our job listings and find one that matches your skills, knowledge, and capabilities.