How to Find a Career That Accommodates Your Disability: 7 Tips for Success
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It’s challenging to live with a disability, but you can still lead a happy fulfilled life, which might include building a successful career.
Many careers are well-suited for people with disabilities. The key is to find a career that matches your skills and interests, and that can be accommodated to meet your specific needs.
Reflect and determine which jobs are reasonable for you based on your condition. If you have back pain, for instance, then you may need to find a role that limits your need to lift a heavy burden. If you have a chronic illness that causes chronic fatigue, then you may need reduced or flexible hours.
There isn’t a one-size fits all approach, as your condition may impact your life in unique ways, so you’ll want to consider what you’ll need in your career to enable your success in the long term.
In this article, I’ll provide a brief overview of your disability rights, 7 tips to help you find a career that accommodates your disability, and 6 jobs that might be suitable for someone with a disability (depending on your specific needs).
Your Disability Rights
Many careers can accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace. You also have the right to request a reasonable accommodation from your employer, and your employer must legally consider and grant reasonable requests.
However, although employers are bound by ADA laws, that doesn’t mean they always know, understand, and follow them, so it’s important that you stay informed and learn your legal rights.
7 Tips to Find a Career that Accommodates Your Disability
Here are 7 tips to help you find a career that accommodates your disability:
1. Do your research.
There are many resources available to help you learn about careers that are well-suited for people with disabilities. You can find information online, at your local library, or through government agencies.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a great place to start. JAN provides information on workplace accommodations and has a database of over 20,000 job listings that are specifically for people with disabilities.
2. Consider your skills and interests.
What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? These factors will play a big role in determining which careers are a good fit for you, regardless of your disability status.
If you need some inspiration, I recommend reading Strengths Finder, which comes with a free personality quiz when you buy the book new!
3. Network.
Talk to people (with and without a disability) who are already working in your field of interest. They can give you valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of the work, and they can share tips on how to find employers who are willing to accommodate your needs.
4. Discuss a career plan with your doctor or therapist.
Your doctor or therapist can help you assess your strengths and limitations, and identify careers that may be a good fit for you. They may also be a great resource to help you develop a plan to overcome any challenges you may face in the workplace.
Psst… if you need a handy tool to help you track the progress you’re making toward your goals, I recommend using ClickUp.
5. Be open to flexible work arrangements.
If you have a disability that makes it difficult to work a traditional 9-to-5 job, there are many other options available to you. You could work from home, telecommute, or take on freelance or contract work.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for accommodations.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees that you have the right to reasonable accommodations in the workplace. This means that your employer must make changes to the job or work environment to allow you to perform your job duties.
7. Don’t give up.
It may take some time to find the right career but don’t give up. Many employers are committed to hiring people with disabilities.
Finding a career that accommodates your disability can be a challenge, but it’s possible. With some research and planning, you can find a job that allows you to reach your full potential.
6 Careers That May Accommodate a Disability
Here are some examples of jobs that are flexible enough to accommodate various disabilities:
1. Software development
Many software development jobs can be done remotely, which can be a great option if your disability limits your mobility.
2. Web design
Web design is another field that accommodates remote work. There are also various tools and resources available to help people with disabilities create accessible websites.
3. Customer service
Many customer service jobs can be done over the phone or through chat. This can be a great option if you have a limited ability to interact with others in person.
4. Data entry
Data entry can be done in a variety of settings, including from home. If you need a job with fewer physical demands, this may be a good option for you.
5. Writing
There are many writing jobs available, including freelance writing, copywriting, and technical writing. You can write essentially anywhere, so you can write from the comfort of your home if it better suits your needs.
6. Marketing
As a marketer, you may create content and strategies to engage an audience with a brand. Many marketing roles are digitally based, so you may find adequate flexibility for your disability in fields such as these.
These are just a few examples of careers that can be flexible enough to accommodate a disability.
The key is to do your research, talk to your doctor or therapist, and network with those that can help. With hard work and perseverance, you can find a career that is both fulfilling and accommodating to your needs.
Conclusion
I wish you the best of luck on your journey to find success in your career. You deserve to work in a career that fulfills you and can accommodate your disability.
Have questions or want to know more? I’m here to help! Let me know in the comments below about your specific circumstances. Together, we can prove that a disability can be more of an asset than a liability.
Recommended Reading:
How to Navigate a Career with a Chronic Illness: 10 Tips for Career Success
Top 10 Best Side Hustles for the Chronic Illness Warrior
Additional Resources
- The Campaign for Disability Employment
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
- The National Organization on Disability (NOD)
- The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
- The American Chronic Pain Association
- The Invisible Disabilities Association
Think finding a career that accommodates your disability will help you 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.
Tools I recommend in this article:
Strengths Finder (book to uncover your innate strengths)
ClickUp (my recommended goal-tracking tool)
