Empower Yourself: A 5-Step Guide for Job-Seekers With Disabilities
The Breakdown
In today’s landscape, many employers have retooled their hiring policies to increase their diversity efforts. As such, businesses and companies are now actively recruiting and hiring candidates from all walks of life, including different races, genders, ages and sexual orientations, as well as cultural and educational backgrounds.
In recent years, more doors have also opened for candidates with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. However, despite the leaps in progress, there is still work to be done in creating inclusive, non-discriminatory environments for such candidates, particularly in terms of accessibility and accommodating their needs.
If you’re a person with a disability, you may fear for your job prospects. However, by following our helpful tips, you can increase your chances of success in the job market AND make a positive impact in any workplace.
What You Need To Do
If you’re applying for a job or you’re simply exploring other options, you need to follow these five crucial steps:
- Conduct Research
To increase your chances of landing a job, conduct research on and identify employers that prioritise diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Specifically, look for businesses, companies and/or organisations that have an established track record of hiring and supporting employees with disabilities.
You should also try to find out if they have policies in place to ensure a welcoming and accommodating work environment – if they do, then they are more likely to be a good fit for you.
Take note: each country has its own laws and regulations regarding hiring practices that concern people with disabilities, so familiarise yourself with these as much as possible.
- Be Open and Honest Where Possible
Whether you’re filling out a job application or you’re sitting for a job interview, it can be emotionally unsettling to disclose your disabilities (physical, mental, learning, etc) to strangers. If you’re asked these questions, employers may be potentially discriminatory against non-able-bodied people (especially if they’re unwilling to provide protection for employees with disabilities, or if they view them as a major work risk).
Nevertheless, while you’re not obligated to disclose your disability, being open and honest about it could actually work in your favour. By sharing your needs and accommodations upfront, you give the employer the opportunity to make the necessary adjustments and create a supportive working environment for you.
- Highlight Your Strengths
Focus on unpacking your skills, qualifications, achievements and experience, and why these make you a viable candidate for the job you’re applying for. For example, mention any specific skills or qualifications that are relevant to the job, such as technological proficiency, strong communication abilities, problem-solving expertise or project management experience.
By emphasising your strengths and abilities, you are demonstrating to the employer that you are more than capable of excelling in – and bringing value to – the workplace, regardless of your disability.
- Start Networking
While job-hunting, there’s no harm in reaching out to friends and family for assistance. Speak to them about possible opportunities and leads – they could recommend you personally for a post or at least point you in the right direction of one.
Alternatively, find out if there are any disability-specific groups or organisations in your community. If so, you can attend their networking events, whereby you will receive valuable resources, support and connections to aid you in your job search.
Similarly, you can approach recruitment agencies who specialise in assisting individuals with disabilities in finding employment.
- Advocate For Yourself
As aforementioned, each country has its own legal codes regarding people with disabilities. In many of these countries, discrimination against these individuals is prohibited and is subject to serious consequences. Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped some employers – as well as some employees – from discriminating against non-able-bodied people.
If you believe you have encountered discrimination during your job search or in the workplace, it’s important to speak up and advocate for yourself. After all, you have the right to fair treatment and to be judged on your skills and qualifications, not your disability.
In the event of potential discrimination, consider reaching out to an advocacy group or legal service that specialises in disability rights for guidance and advice.
Make Doors Open For You!
By following these steps, you can increase your chances of finding an inclusive workplace that values your skill and abilities, and accommodates your needs.
Remember, regardless of any disabilities you may have, you have the right to pursue and obtain a fulfilling career. Good luck!