If you have a disability, it can be particularly difficult to find employment opportunities for a number of reasons.
For instance, there may be additional limitations on certain jobs that may make you ineligible to apply, or you may face possible discrimination from employers or coworkers. Although there are several federal laws that mandate that people with disabilities need to have access to suitable, full-time jobs, people with disabilities face higher than average unemployment rates in the country.
Luckily, there are many different governmental and non-governmental organizations that are dedicated to helping people with disabilities find and secure employment opportunities. These groups vary from one to another. Some groups focus on building a community for disabled individuals that provides support, information and necessary services to anyone in need. Other groups focus on the professional aspect of things and provide resources that help people with disabilities to have equal access to the job market.
There are many different programs sponsored and administered by the federal government that help people with disabilities have the same access to jobs that people without disabilities can access. Many companies working with the federal government participate in the Schedule A Hiring Authority. This helps people with disabilities to apply for federal government jobs by having access to a faster and less competitive hiring process.
If you have a disability, you may benefit from using the website USAjobs.gov, which is the federal government’s primary web portal for employers and job seekers. This website provides search and filtering options that can help you to see which jobs may fall under Schedule A and also help you to see which jobs can offer physical accommodations for certain disabilities.
Applicants may also benefit from the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), which is one of the biggest federal programs dedicated to helping disabled applicants find jobs. The WRP helps to connect federal employers with motivated job seekers with disabilities. Also, applicants can receive customized help with learning what opportunities they are most qualified for.
Although many programs offer assistance to all disabled individuals, there are also groups that are designed to help disabled youth and students. These groups typically aim to help students stay in school and get a college education or transition into the workforce to develop on a professional level. A few of these programs include, but are not limited to:
Many people with disabilities in the United States are also veterans of the armed forces. These individuals are considered particularly at-risk of unemployment and homelessness because of the increased difficulties associated with transitioning from the military to civilian. There are many federal and non-governmental programs that exist to help veterans with disabilities find jobs, including the following:
In addition to there being job programs designed to help disabled individuals find existing job opportunities, there are also organizations that assist disabled individuals with starting their own businesses. These programs help by sponsoring entrepreneurship training programs and more. A few of the most popular business-centered disability organizations include the following:
It is important to explore the many different organizations and programs to decide which options are best suited for you. To learn more about any of the organizations listed, visit their website for more information.