#157: Disabled Employment: How to Balance Work/Life and Health Demands –
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Disclaimer: The below information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Please seek legal support from an accredited lawyer.
Disabled employment can be difficult to navigate, but for some, it is worthwhile, meaningful, and sometimes necessary.
With employment, you gain access to benefits including a salary, health insurance, vacation time, and more. A career can also provide you with purpose and life satisfaction.
Since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, disabled Americans have had better access to employment opportunities. If you live outside the US, there are similar laws in countries including Australia, Canada, and the UK.
Although there has been a lot of progress since before these laws were passed, much of the world is still figuring out how to navigate the complexities alongside disabled employment, and disabled living for that matter.
In this article, we’ll discuss the complexities of disabled employment, exploring the ways to successfully balance work/life, and challenging health demands.
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Understanding the Challenges of Disabled Employment
I’ve lived most of my life with Crohn’s disease and while it’s challenging, I’ve still achieved many of my goals.
Alongside my illness, I’ve successfully navigated my career, family demands, and everything else in life. I’ve also advocated for myself and requested reasonable accommodations.
I’ll admit, it was uncomfortable to ask for accommodations, but I discovered that I performed better work when I spoke up about what I needed to be successful.
When you have a disability, it can be difficult to navigate the complexities of work and life. Adding to the challenge, our able-bodied counterparts struggle to understand the unique challenges, so it is up to us to help them understand.
Depending on your unique health challenges, managing your health might feel like a full-time job itself. The physical and emotional demands of managing symptoms, attending medical appointments, and navigating healthcare systems can significantly impact daily life and work productivity.
Balancing career goals with the demands of a disability requires careful planning, effective communication, and a strong support system.
How do you effectively manage disabled employment? Read on for your strategies for success.
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Disabled Employment: 7 Strategies for Success
The challenge is real, but a fulfilling career may provide you with the sense of purpose, meaning, and financial security you’re seeking.
Here are some strategies to help you balance the demands of disabled employment with a healthy work-life balance:
1. Open Communication with Your Employer:
- Discuss your disability with your employer and explore potential accommodations. If you’re interviewing for a job, I recommend waiting to discuss specifics after you’ve received an offer.
- Be open with your employer about your needs and limitations while maintaining professionalism. Be honest about your condition and the accommodations you may require.
- Develop a clear communication plan to ensure your employer is aware of any potential limitations or necessary adjustments.
2. Prioritize Self-Care:
- Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. Prioritize sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress management techniques, and anything else you need to elevate your health.
- Incorporate new practices like meditation or exercise to support your well-being.
- Listen to your body and don’t hesitate to adjust your schedule when needed.
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3. Time Management Strategies:
- Utilize time management techniques such as time blocking, prioritization, and delegation to maximize productivity.
- Learn to say “no” to requests that drain your energy or exceed your capacity.
- Set realistic goals: engage your employer as you set work goals and avoid overcommitting.
4. Building a Supportive Network:
- Surround yourself with a strong support system, including family, friends, and colleagues.
- Consider joining relevant disability support groups. Connect with disability advocacy organizations and other individuals with similar disabilities.
- Seek professional guidance from a therapist, counselor, or career coach where you find it helpful.
5. Focus on Your Strengths:
- Identify your strengths and leverage them in your career.
- Focus on tasks you excel at and delegate or automate less demanding tasks.
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6. Understand your Rights
- Advocate for yourself: Know your legal rights under the ADA (or any other applicable laws) and advocate for your needs in the workplace.
7. Utilize Flexibility
- Whether by requesting a reasonable accommodation, finding a flexible job, or otherwise, utilize flexible work arrangements that are available to you where it helps you maintain your productivity and health.
Finding Balance in Disabled Employment
Ultimately what matters is that you’re finding a healthy balance between the demands of your health, career, family, lifestyle, and any other aspects of your life.
If you discover you’re “out of sync” don’t be afraid to make changes. Speak up, advocate for yourself, and be unafraid to make changes that will ultimately be better for you.
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Your Rights to Disabled Employment
I’m not a lawyer, so I strongly encourage you to seek legal support from an accredited lawyer when you need it.
I also encourage you to learn about your rights, as you may have legal protections that are unfamiliar to you.
For instance, the ADA protects workers with disabilities in America. This critical legislation prohibits discrimination in all aspects of employment, from hiring and promotions to training and compensation.
Key protections under the ADA include the following:
- Protection from discrimination: Employers cannot discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, training, compensation, and job assignments.
- Reasonable accommodations: Employers must provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would cause undue hardship. These accommodations may include modifications to the work environment, equipment, or job duties.
- Protection from harassment and retaliation: The ADA prohibits harassment and retaliation against anyone with a disability.
By understanding your rights, you can advocate for yourself in the workplace and ensure you’re treated fairly and equitably.
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Finding Fulfillment in Disabled Employment
A fulfilling career can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment worthy of pursuing. Disabled employment is challenging, but possible to navigate.
You can build a successful career while managing your health and well-being when you prioritize self-care, communicate effectively with your employer, and leverage available resources.
Remember, you are not alone. By seeking support, advocating for yourself, and prioritizing your well-being, you can achieve your goals while living with a disability.
For more information on how to take control of your finances and achieve financial freedom, check out my free ebook, “7 Ways to FIRE Your Career.”
The guidebook provides practical strategies and actionable steps to help you overcome obstacles and build a secure financial future. With it, you can design the life you’ve always dreamed of, so what do you have to lose?
Get the free ebook to begin building your dream life.
Have a question or want to learn more? Leave a comment below!
Now that you’ve learned how to balance work/life and health demands in disabled employment, you might be wondering how else you can FIRE Your Career. Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.
FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.
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Resources I Recommend in This Article:
7 Ways to FIRE Your Career (a free ebook to help you build a foundation for financial freedom)
Resources I Frequently Recommend:
ClickUp (my recommended goal-tracking and project-management tool)
Strengths Finder (book to help you uncover your innate strengths, includes a free personality quiz)
Quit Like a Millionaire (a great FIRE book with a scoring system to help you select a degree or job field)
Rich Dad, Poor Dad (a great intro to financial freedom book)
The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing (a great intro to investing book)
Others: 16 Books I Recommend to FIRE Your Career
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Other Pages & Articles Mentioned in This Post:
About FIRE Your Career: My Chronic Career Journey
How I Built a Successful Career While Navigating Crohn’s Disease
How to Request a Reasonable Accommodation for Disability
Navigate a Career & a Chronic Illness: Tips for Career Success
Time Management Tips for a Life of FIRE Success
How to Find a Career That Accommodates Your Disability
Additional Resources:
Self-Management: A Comprehensive Approach to Management of Chronic Conditions – PMC
Connecting with other disabled adults in your community
Chronic Pain and Work Productivity | Is There A Link Between Both
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