Job Search Tips for Students with Disabilities

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Job Search Tips for Students with Disabilities

• Tutorial

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• No matter an individuals situation, the job
  search process contains basic steps that everyone
  should complete in order to be successful.

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• For example, it is essential that individuals be
  able to identify their skills, values and
  interests.
• A career that aligns with ones skills values and
  interests is more likely going to lead to job
  satisfaction than one that doesnt.

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• Additionally, potential candidates should have a
  professional resume and cover letter as well as a
  list of possible job titles and employers for
  whom they might be interested in working.

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• While these steps are standard to anyone involved
  in a job search, individuals with disabilities
  must attend to a few more steps.

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• This tutorial will provide you with helpful
  information to be used in preparation for and
  during your job search process.
• Additionally, the information contained in this
  tutorial is a supplement to the other online
  tutorials.
• Resources for additional assistance are provided
  at the end of the tutorial.

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• Before the Job Search

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What Type of Job Is Right for You?

• As noted before, it is essential for candidates
  to know their skills, values and interests in
  order to help identify career options.
• However, depending on the nature of a disability,
  an individual may find that his/her career
  choices are limited.

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What Type of Job Is Right for You?

• For example, due to a disability, one may be
  unable to meet a jobs minimum requirement of
  being able to lift 50lbs. As a result he/she is
  no longer qualified to fulfill that particular
  jobs qualifications.
• If, at anytime, a candidate encounters any
  limitations, he/she must begin to think
  creatively and to look at other options!

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What Type of Job Is Right for You?

• Similar careers are organized into larger groups
  called families and/or industries.
• Researching these larger categories will lead to
  alternative career options for one to research.
• This method is an excellent way to locate a
  variety of career options that have some
  similarities.

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Job Families
While there are numerous job families, common
ones include

• Architecture Engineering
• Education, Training Library
• Military
• Community Social Services
• Food Preparation Serving Related

• Farming, Fishing Forestry
• Transportation Material Moving
• Personal Care Service
• Life, Physical Social Science
• Computer Mathematical
• Construction

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What Type of Job is Right for You?

• Once job families have been identified, it is
  essential for candidates to begin exploring and
  researching these new options.
• Remember, it is extremely important to identify
  options that align with values, skills and
  interests.

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• ADA

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Know the Law and How It Applies

• Individuals with disabilities are protected by
  the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• This act prohibits discrimination among those
  with disabilities as well as requires most
  employers to make reasonable accommodations for
  individuals with disabilities.

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Know the Law and How It Applies

• While the law requires employers to make
  accommodations, it is, however, the individuals
  responsibility to ensure that he/she is
  up-to-date with current legislation as well as
  knows and understands individual rights.
• Individuals must advocate for themselves!

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Know the Law and How It Applies

• Furthermore, by law, employers are required to
  provide reasonable accommodations to applicants
  with disabilities as long as the accommodations
  do not impose an undue hardship on the employer.

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Know the Law and How It Applies

• This is important to note as one may need
  accommodations during an interview.
• However, employers can only make accommodations
  when the disability is disclosed to them.

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• Disclosure

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Disclosure

• Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide
  whether or not to disclose a disability to an
  employer.
• This is a personal decision that should involve a
  lot of thought and reflection.
• Keep in mind, however, that disclosure is
  unavoidable if any accommodations are required.

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Disclosure Methods

• Multiple avenues are available for candidates to
  disclose disabilities. They include
• In a cover letter
• On a job application
• On a resume
• During an interview
• After being offered a job
• After having worked
• Never

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Pros/Cons of Disclosure Methods

• Cover Letter
• Can be extremely beneficial to mention a
  disability depending on the job.
• However, it does not give candidates an
  advantage.
• Job Application
• Typically applications contain questions that ask
  candidates if they are able to fulfill the job
  requirements.
• Unfortunately, space is often limited and there
  might not be enough room to provide the necessary
  information.

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Pros/Cons of Disclosure Methods (Continued)

• Resume
• One can hint at a disability by listing previous
  employers as well as volunteer and/or advocacy
  work.
• It is neither necessary nor recommended to create
  a separate Health section under which to list a
  disability.
• Including this information may be seen as being
  upfront and honest with an employer.
• However, applicants may be disqualified before
  being able to prove their qualifications.

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Pros/Cons of Disclosure Methods (Continued)

• Before an Interview
• This gives the employer a heads up. However,
  try to avoid mentioning a disability to anyone
  other than those conducting the interview. This
  helps to ensure that the message is conveyed in
  the correct manner.
• There is the possibility that candidates will not
  be taken as seriously during the interview.

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Pros/Cons of Disclosure Methods (Continued)

• During an interview
• Some employers may be taken off guard if not
  notified ahead of time. This is known as the
  Shock Factor.
• Applicants may prefer not to provide any advanced
  notice regarding a disability.
• After being offered a job
• If the disability information changes an
  employment offer, legal action is an option.
• Employers may be upset if candidates did not
  trust them enough to inform ahead of time.

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Pros/Cons of Disclosure Methods (Continued)

• After having worked for a while
• By this time a candidate has already proven that
  he/she is capable of doing the job.
• However, individual work may not be up to par if
  accommodations are needed.
• The longer one puts off telling people, the
  harder it becomes.
• Never
• Employers can not respond to a disability.
• Employees can be dismissed if disability is
  discovered with no opportunity for legal
  recourse.

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Things To Consider Before Disclosing

• Below is a list of questions applicants should
  answer before disclosing their disability.
• Are you comfortable talking about your
  disability?
• Do you know what accommodation(s) you will need?
• Who will you tell?
• Can you perform the essential job functions?

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Disclosure Script

• If an applicant has decided to disclose his/her
  disability but is unsure about what to say, the
  following script can be used as a guide.
• Having a script ensures that you make your point
  and that you address all pertinent information.
• If necessary, rehearse the script a couple of
  times in order to become more comfortable with
  the material.

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Disclosure Script

• I have (name of disability). Currently, I have
  (the skills required) to do the essential
  functions of the job. Sometimes, (functional
  limitations) may interfere with my ability to
  (duties you have trouble performing). It helps if
  I have (name the specific accommodations you
  need). I work best when (other accommodations).

Script taken from Career Opportunities for
Students With Disabilities, Alan D. Muir,
www.cosdonline.org.
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Additional Resources

• The next two slides contain both Internet and
  paper resources to assist you throughout the job
  search process.

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Internet Resources

• http//www.mcdaniel.edu/7173.htm
• http//www.mcdaniel.edu/7171.htm
• http//www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/
  DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId9
• http//www.dol.gov/odep/

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Paper Resources

• Job-Hunting for the So-Called Handicapped or
  People With Disabilities, Richard Nelson Bolles
  and Dale Susan Brown
• Career Resource Guide for People With
  Disabilities, Third Edition, Volume I
• Career Resource Guide for People With
  Disabilities, Third Edition, Volume II
• Resources for People With Disabilities A
  National Directory Featuring More Than 8,100
  Career and Educational Listings, 2nd Edition

These resources are found in the Career Resource
Library
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Remember

• No matter your disability, it is essential that
  all individuals involved in the job search
  process have a well-written resume and cover
  letter.
• Furthermore, it is essential for one to be able
  to interview successfully.
• Online tutorials are provided for each of these
  topics on Career Services web page.

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For More Help

• If you have questions, please contact Career
  Services
• Via the Talk to a Career Counselor link on our
  website
• Or call 410-871-3305