Career Bookmarks
People With DisabilitiesPeople with disabilities face specific challenges during the job search process. The information in this guide will highlight some of the concerns and issues people with disabilities may face.
- Where to Start
- Government and Community Services
- Evaluating Your Skills
- Marketing Yourself
- Disclosure and Other Challenges to Employment
- Job Accommodation and Alternative Work Arrangements
- Job Posting Sites
- Networking
- Work Experience Programs
- Self Employment
- Injured Workers
For more information, use Career Bookmarks to create your own personal file of resources. See also other guides for specific groups, such as women, young adults and job seekers over 45.
Where to Start
This list of general resources will help develop a strategy for your job search.
Government and Community Services
Consider using government programs, community agencies and disability organizations and support groups for assistance in your job search.
Evaluating Your Skills
Whether or not you have worked before, whatever your disability, you have acquired skills and abilities which are valuable in many different work situations. Determine your marketable skills, and use them when choosing an area of employment, developing your resume, or preparing for an interview.
Marketing Yourself
Creating an effective resume and feeling confident in an interview are essential skills which need to be developed.Workers with a disability need to consider as well some of the stereotypes employers may have and prepare ways of counteracting them in the resume and interview. Technical skills are valued in the workplace today - having a resume that is scannable, and adaptable to email or the Web shows a potential employer that you are familiar with new technologies.
Disclosure & Other Challenges to Employment
You must decide for yourself the best time and place to disclose your disability to an employer. The following resources will help with that decision.
Job Accommodation & Alternative Work Arrangements
Employers may ask what changes would be needed for you to do the job, or you may want to bring it up yourself in an interview. These resources will help with ideas and contacts who will be able to work out solutions.While permanent full-time work with paid benefits used to be the norm, today’s workplace is often one of short- or long-term contracts, temporary work or working from home. Teleworking or working from home may suit your personal situation and accommodate your special needs. With advances in computer technology, teleworking is a growth area while temporary or contract work may lead to other contracts or more permanent work.
Job Posting Sites
There are many job banks on the Internet which you can search through Career Bookmarks. In addition, the following sites have lists of jobs posted by equal opportunity employers, or encourage resumes from people with disabilities. Think about internship programs which will help you develop work skills.
Networking
It is useful to remember that most jobs are found through the hidden job market - through your contacts. Share suggestions with others with similar challenges. Consider volunteering, which allows you to help a cause you believe in, while enlarging your network of contacts. News groups and mailing lists on the Internet, related to both work and hobbies are other possibilities. The following resources will give you some ideas on how and where to connect.
Work Experience Programs
Here are ways to learn new skills while you are getting some on-the-job experience. Check the requirements for each program, as they may vary from program to program.
Self Employment
Think about starting your own business or other self employment options. You can use the experience you have gained in previous work, or develop interests or hobbies into a business. For more information about starting a business, try the Virtual Reference Library's gateway, SmallbizXpress.
Injured Workers
These resources provide support and information for injured workers.
Subject Headings
Use these words to search the library's online catalogue for other items:
Attention-deficit-disordered adults -- Vocational guidance
Attention-deficit-disordered youth -- Vocational guidance
Blind -- Employment
Career Development
Cover Letters
Discrimination in employment -- Canada
Employment Interviewing
Handicapped -- Canada -- Employment
Handicapped - Employment
Handicapped and employment
Learning disabled -- Vocational guidance
Job hunting -- Data processing
Resumes (Employment)
Social Networks
Visually handicapped -- Employment
Vocational guidance for the handicapped
Vocational rehabilitation -- Canada
Call Numbers
Use these call numbers to look for other items in the library.
331.7
331.59
650.14
808.06
