Although the law says employers cannot discriminate against individuals with disabilities, the reality is that many people view those with disabilities differently. Even if it doesn’t affect your ability to do a job, many employers see a disability or chronic health condition as a negative, and this can affect your ability to find fulfilling work.
Unfair though this state of affairs may be, the good news is that the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is declining. Employers are starting to realize the untapped talent pool this group offers. Even so, it can still be intimidating to interview for a job when you have a disability to disclose. As such, we’ve put together a few helpful job-seeking tips.
1. Look for Equal Opportunity Employers
The federal government defines an equal-opportunity employer as one that does not discriminate against race, religion, gender, color, nationality, age, or disability. It can be challenging to find such employers, but inclusive employment services can help locate these companies and assist you through the hiring process.
2. Attend Online Job Fairs
It can be challenging for people with disabilities to get out and physically look for jobs or attend interviews, especially if they have restricted driving capabilities. Luckily, there are online job fairs that allow attendees to interact with companies all over the world that are hiring. The beauty of a virtual job fair is that disabled people need not reveal their disabilities and can be judged on their expertise and skill alone.
3. Know Your Rights
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects disabled people from discrimination in the workplace. It specifies that employers cannot deny you a job, fire you from a job, demote you, pay you less, or harass you because you have a disability.
The ADA also prohibits employers from asking certain questions about your disability or requiring medical testing to get or keep a job. Knowing your rights under the ADA can give you more confidence going into an interview, but remember, just because you know your rights doesn’t mean you should throw them in the interviewer’s face. Be polite and gracious – even if the interviewer is not.
4. Look for Remote Work
If your disability makes it difficult to get out independently, you may want to consider working a remote job that you can do from home. Since the onset of the pandemic, more and more employers have realized the benefits of hiring remote workers, and there are more work-from-home jobs than ever before. Sometimes, an employer may even provide the necessary equipment to help you do your job efficiently from your home office.
5. Know What You’ll Need to Do the Job
Under the ADA, employers must make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities so they can do their job to the best of their abilities. When you interview for a new job, let your potential employer know what accommodations you’ll need to succeed.
For instance, if you are visually impaired, will you need magnification software? If you have difficulty using your hands, you may need voice recognition software to do your job. Whatever the case, convey your needs during the interview so your new employer can have everything in place for your first day of work.
Looking for a job as a disabled person can be intimidating. The good news is, however, that more and more employers are realizing the value disabled people bring to the table. Hopefully, if you are a person with a disability, the tips above will help you find the perfect job.
