Career Guide for Students With Disabilities
As graduation approaches, it’s important to consider life after college. This guide will help you navigate this journey as a student with disabilities. We’ll cover three main areas: finding a fulfilling career, creating workplace accommodations, and introducing tools to meet your needs and abilities.
Planning Your Career in College
Career planning is crucial for all students, but especially for those with one or more disabilities. Disabilities can create challenges, but many career services are available to help you succeed.
An accessible college with well-organized services, including career and disability support, can provide a better return on investment for your degree. This support will help you consider your long-term goals early on, navigate the job market, and find opportunities that cater to your needs.
Accommodations in Internships and Job Training
A survey of nearly 600 people by Inclusively found that many job seekers feel uneasy asking for accommodations. They also often prefer to remain anonymous when seeking help.
Accommodations matter as much in the workplace, internships, and job training as in the classroom. They can include things like a sign language interpreter or adaptive software to help with tasks.
Deciding Whether to Disclose a Disability
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require you to disclose a disability. The ADA grants important disability rights, including privacy and autonomy. However, you might choose to disclose a disability to request reasonable accommodation or for other personal reasons. Before making this decision, think about these questions:
- What benefits come from disclosing my disability? Can I wait to disclose?
- What accommodations do I need to succeed at work?
- Is my disability visible, and could that worry a potential employer?
- How can I prepare for an interview, and when should I share my disability?
While deciding to disclose a disability is a personal decision, you don’t have to make it alone. Take your time and seek support from online job boards, government programs, and support organizations.
Finding Inclusive Employers
How can you tell if an employer is inclusive? A good sign is that they go beyond legal requirements. They create a workplace that values and supports employees with disabilities. Use these tips to help you find inclusive employers:
Review company websites and social media for statements on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) in their core values.- Look for inclusive language in job postings.
- Check for companies with employee resource groups (ERGs) dedicated to disability support.
- During interviews, ask about DE&I initiatives, training programs, and feedback mechanisms to gauge the company’s dedication to inclusivity.
- Consider if the company has connections with organizations with disability representation in leadership or mentorship programs.
By researching and seeking out inclusive employers, you can find a workplace that supports your needs and helps you thrive.
Resources
Workforce Recruitment Program
The Workforce Recruitment Program is a free resource connecting students and graduates with disabilities to employers.National Disability Rights Network
The National Disability Rights Network offers resources to support people with disabilities, including advocacy services, policy guidance, and training programs.CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop provides disability resources that include definitions of disability, worker protections, and tips for disclosing disabilities.Disability:IN
Disability:IN advocates for disability inclusion in the workplace, with resources including a mentorship program, career fairs, and job boards.AbilityLinks
AbilityLinks is a job board that connects job seekers with disabilities to employers who support inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Careers for Students with Disabilities
The ADA lets employers deny accommodation requests that create operational or financial burdens. For example, suppose a small business must install an elevator for an employee with mobility issues. In that case, it may be an unreasonable accommodation. However, employers must still work with employees to find alternative solutions for both sides.
