Job Searching with a Disability
Finding a job as a disabled person means navigating a system that often discriminates, while also managing disability-related challenges. The good news: disabled people work in every field, and strategies exist for successful job searches.
This page centers disabled job seekers’ expertise on finding work.
The Reality
Section titled “The Reality”Discrimination Is Real
Section titled “Discrimination Is Real”Let’s be honest: hiring discrimination against disabled people is well-documented. In a large field experiment that sent matched résumés differing only by a disclosed disability, disabled applicants received about 26% fewer expressions of employer interest (Ameri et al., 2018, ILR Review). This isn’t your fault—it’s systemic ableism.
So Is Employment
Section titled “So Is Employment”Despite barriers, millions of disabled people work. Strategies can help. And increasingly, employers recognize the value of disabled workers.
Your Skills and Experience Matter
Section titled “Your Skills and Experience Matter”Your disability is one part of who you are. Your skills, experience, education, and perspective matter. Don’t let ableism convince you otherwise.
Preparing to Job Search
Section titled “Preparing to Job Search”Know What You Want
Section titled “Know What You Want”Consider:
- What type of work interests you?
- What are your skills and strengths?
- What accommodations do you need?
- What flexibility do you need (schedule, location, pace)?
- What’s your ideal work environment?
Know What You Need
Section titled “Know What You Need”Think about:
- Income requirements (including benefits considerations)
- Health insurance needs
- Transportation options
- Physical accessibility requirements
- Schedule flexibility
- Remote work possibilities
Update Your Materials
Section titled “Update Your Materials”Resume:
- Focus on skills, accomplishments, experience
- Address gaps strategically (you don’t have to explain everything)
- Tailor to each position
- Consider accessibility of your resume format
Cover letter:
- Explain why you’re right for this specific job
- Highlight relevant experience
- You don’t have to disclose disability here
Online presence:
- LinkedIn and other professional networks
- Portfolio if applicable
- Consider what you want public
Build Skills If Needed
Section titled “Build Skills If Needed”Options for building skills:
- Vocational rehabilitation programs
- Community college
- Online courses and certifications
- Volunteer work
- Internships
Finding Opportunities
Section titled “Finding Opportunities”Traditional Job Searching
Section titled “Traditional Job Searching”Job boards: Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, industry-specific boards
Company websites: Apply directly to companies you’re interested in
Networking: Informational interviews, professional associations, LinkedIn connections
Recruiters: Some specialize in your field or in disability employment
Disability-Specific Resources
Section titled “Disability-Specific Resources”Disability employment programs:
- Vocational Rehabilitation (state VR agencies)
- Disability Employment Services (Australia)
- Access to Work-related programs (UK)
Disability-focused job boards:
- Ability Links (EARN)
- Getting Hired
- Disability Solutions
- USBLN Disability Supplier Diversity Program
- Country-specific boards
Employer disability initiatives:
- Many large employers have disability hiring programs
- Disability:IN member companies
- Disability Confident employers (UK)
Networking with Disability Community
Section titled “Networking with Disability Community”- Disabled professional networks
- Industry groups for disabled professionals
- Disability employee resource groups at companies
- Social media disability community
The Disclosure Decision
Section titled “The Disclosure Decision”When to Disclose
Section titled “When to Disclose”Disclosure is always your choice. Options:
Before applying: Usually not recommended unless the position specifically seeks disabled candidates.
In application: Generally not recommended.
During interview: Only if you need accommodation for the interview itself.
After job offer: Common time to request accommodations. Can’t legally be rescinded for disability.
After starting: Can request accommodations any time.
Never: If you don’t need accommodations and prefer privacy.
Factors to Consider
Section titled “Factors to Consider”Reasons to disclose earlier:
- You need visible accommodations
- You want to gauge employer attitudes
- Your disability is visible anyway
- You want to be open about your identity
- Company has strong disability inclusion reputation
Reasons to wait:
- Protect against hiring discrimination
- Keep options open
- Assess the workplace first
- Disability doesn’t affect the job
Disclosure Is Ongoing
Section titled “Disclosure Is Ongoing”You can choose what, when, and to whom you disclose:
- HR may know, but not coworkers
- You can be general (“I have a medical condition”) or specific
- You can disclose to some people and not others
Applications and Interviews
Section titled “Applications and Interviews”Applications
Section titled “Applications”Voluntary self-identification: Many applications ask if you have a disability. This is for affirmative action tracking and is voluntary. Answering “yes” should not affect hiring decisions, but some people prefer not to answer.
Gaps in resume: You can address employment gaps without detailed explanation. Options include:
- “Medical leave”
- Focus on skills gained during gaps
- Functional resume format
- Don’t address unless asked
Requesting Interview Accommodations
Section titled “Requesting Interview Accommodations”If you need accommodations for the interview, you can request them:
“I’m looking forward to the interview. I’d like to request [specific accommodation] due to a disability. Please let me know if you need any additional information.”
Examples:
- “Could we hold the interview in an accessible location?”
- “Could you provide a sign language interpreter?”
- “Could we conduct the interview via video instead of in person?”
- “Could you provide interview questions in advance?”
During Interviews
Section titled “During Interviews”Answering questions about disability:
- You don’t have to answer questions about your disability
- You don’t have to explain medical history
- Employers can only ask if you can perform job functions, with or without accommodation
Illegal questions (in most jurisdictions):
- “Do you have a disability?”
- “What medications do you take?”
- “Have you ever filed a workers’ comp claim?”
- “How much sick leave did you use at your last job?”
If asked an illegal question:
- Redirect: “I can assure you I can perform the essential functions of this position”
- Answer the underlying concern without revealing disability
- Note it as a red flag about the employer
Questions you might get (and these ARE legal):
- “Can you perform X, Y, Z functions?”
- “How would you handle X situation?”
- “This job requires X—are you able to do that?”
Your questions for them:
- Ask about workplace culture, flexibility, accommodations process
- Observe the office for accessibility
- Get a sense of whether this is a good fit
After the Interview
Section titled “After the Interview”- Send thank you note
- Follow up appropriately
- Continue other applications
Benefits Considerations
Section titled “Benefits Considerations”Working While Receiving Benefits
Section titled “Working While Receiving Benefits”If you receive disability benefits, understand how work affects them:
US - SSI:
- Income gradually reduces benefits (not dollar-for-dollar)
- Work incentives like PASS, IRWE, student earned income exclusion
- Benefits counseling available
US - SSDI:
- Trial Work Period: 9 months of unlimited earnings
- Extended Period of Eligibility: 36 months of protection
- Expedited reinstatement if you lose job
- Benefits counseling recommended
Other countries: Check your country’s rules for working while receiving disability benefits
Health Insurance
Section titled “Health Insurance”Consider:
- Will employer provide health insurance?
- Can you keep Medicaid/Medicare while working?
- What are your healthcare costs?
- Are there Medicaid Buy-In programs in your state?
Getting Help with Benefits
Section titled “Getting Help with Benefits”Work with a benefits counselor before accepting a job to understand the impact on your benefits.
- US: Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) programs
- Other countries: Check for equivalent counseling services
If You Face Discrimination
Section titled “If You Face Discrimination”Warning Signs
Section titled “Warning Signs”- Questions about disability or medical history
- Sudden change after disclosure
- Job offer rescinded after accommodation request
- Not hired despite being qualified
What to Do
Section titled “What to Do”- Document everything: Dates, conversations, written communications
- Know deadlines: Complaints often have strict time limits
- File a complaint: EEOC (US), human rights commission (other countries)
- Get legal advice: Employment attorneys, disability rights organizations
Scenarios: Finding What You Need
Section titled “Scenarios: Finding What You Need””I have a big gap in my resume from disability”
Section titled “”I have a big gap in my resume from disability””You don’t have to explain everything. Options: “Personal medical leave,” “Family responsibilities,” “Career transition.” Focus interviews on what you can do now. Consider functional resume format that emphasizes skills over timeline.
”I don’t know if I should disclose on applications”
Section titled “”I don’t know if I should disclose on applications””You’re not required to. The self-identification form is voluntary and supposed to be used only for statistics. Many people don’t disclose until after job offer.
”I need accommodations but I’m afraid it will hurt my chances”
Section titled “”I need accommodations but I’m afraid it will hurt my chances””This is a valid concern given discrimination. Consider waiting until after job offer when you have more protection. Research the employer’s disability inclusion reputation. Remember that employers who won’t accommodate may not be good fits anyway.
”I can’t find jobs that match my accessibility needs”
Section titled “”I can’t find jobs that match my accessibility needs””Be creative: remote work opens options, some industries are more flexible, accommodations can change job requirements. Also consider entrepreneurship or self-employment for maximum control.
”I’ve been rejected many times and I’m discouraged”
Section titled “”I’ve been rejected many times and I’m discouraged””Job searching is hard for everyone—harder for disabled people because of discrimination. This isn’t your failure. Take breaks when needed. Connect with peer support. Consider vocational rehabilitation services for additional support.
Resources
Section titled “Resources”United States
Section titled “United States”- Job Accommodation Network (JAN): askjan.org
- CareerOneStop: careeronestop.org
- Ticket to Work: choosework.ssa.gov
- State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies
- EARN (Employer Assistance and Resource Network): askearn.org
Canada
Section titled “Canada”- Canada Job Bank: jobbank.gc.ca
- Provincial employment services
United Kingdom
Section titled “United Kingdom”- gov.uk job search: Find a Job service
- Access to Work: gov.uk/access-to-work
- Disability Confident employer search
Australia
Section titled “Australia”- JobAccess: jobaccess.gov.au
- Disability Employment Services: Contact Centrelink
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “Contribute to This Page”Have you found a job as a disabled person? Have strategies that worked?
Share your knowledge: Contribution Form
We especially welcome:
- Job search strategies that worked
- Disclosure experiences
- Industry-specific advice
- Country-specific information
This page centers disabled job seekers’ expertise. Finding work in an ableist world is challenging—your efforts matter, and employment is possible.