Top Employment Options for People with Disabilities



When we talk about employment for people with disabilities, we talk about limited options for the wide population of more than 20 million disabled people that should have a stable job in the US. Fortunately, the federal government has taken some measures to improve the policies that protect and favor the opportunities of employment for people with disabilities. Let’s take a look at some of the best employment options for disabled people.

Earning the money to fulfill your needs is one of the most rewarding things in life. It means that your skills are worth some money and that you can contribute to finish tasks and help a business grow. It is sad to see how some people pre-judge disabled people before they even show their skills or potential. If you have special needs and don’t know how to find a job that you can perfectly perform despite of your disability, here’s a whole list of occupations that could help you find the right job for you.

Potential Fields for People with Intellectual Disabilities

People with intellectual disabilities count for more than 8 million. They tend to be very creative and need to express their energy with their hands. They also love to feel free and be outdoors, for which careers related to operating heavy tools is great for them.

  • ·        Design, photography, and illustration: Designer, photographer, illustrator, painter.
  • ·        Culinary arts: Chef, cook, baker.
  • ·        Broadcasting related technology: Cameraman, broadcast technician
  • ·        Computer programming: Application software developer, computer programmer, system software developer.

Potential Fields for People with Hearing Disabilities

More than 4 million American adults are hearing impaired. People with this kind of disability can barely find a limit to perform a job. They have found their way to work in almost every field. Here are the most common ones.

  • ·        Drafting: mechanical drafters, architectural drafters.
  • ·        Science: biologist, environmental conservationist, sociologist, geologist, among others.
  • ·        Performing arts: Producer, actor.
  • ·        Carpenter.
  • ·        Medical laboratory technician.

Potential Fields for People with Physical Disabilities

The number of people with limited mobility reaches more than 10 million adults in the US. It is important to mention that this kind of disability does not have to be limitative at all! There’s a wide array of career options that are perfectly doable for people with mobility problems.

  • ·        Pharmacy services: Pharmacy technician, sale representative, pharmacist.
  • ·        Vocational counselor.
  • ·        Accounting: Accountant, auditor, accounting clerk.
  • ·        Marketing: Marketing specialist, marketing manager, research analyst.
  • ·    Working remotely: Writer, web developer, medical transcriptionist, graphic designer, computer support specialist.
  • ·   Medical administration: medical office assistant, health service manager, health information technician.

Potential Fields for People with Visual Disabilities

This disability affects more than 3 million American adults. Most visually impaired people use one of the many assistive technologies that have been invented to help them contribute and perform almost any task, which broadens their employment options.

  • ·        Music production: Producers in the recording industry, audio equipment technicians, audio recording engineers.
  • ·        Teaching and early childhood education: teacher assistant, childcare worker, a school teacher.
  • ·        Legal services: legal counselor.

Potential Fields for People with Learning Disabilities

Studying and building a career can be very challenging for these individuals. They may struggle with writing, reading, thinking, listening, time management, memory, organization, speaking, and more. However, there’s a possibility for everybody. It’s just a matter of looking in the right places. Normally, people with learning disabilities can have problems in one area and have strong skills in another.

  • ·        Entrepreneur.
  • ·        Filmmaker.
  • ·        Counselor.
  • ·        Broadcast news anchor.
  • ·        Nursing assistant.
  • ·        Broadcast correspondent.

Potential Fields for People with Emotional or Psychiatric Disorders

In the US, if a person suffers from anxiety, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder, he/she is considered to have a mental disorder that limits them from functioning properly in a social environment. It is expected that they can’t properly behave in a job environment either, which can limit their careers. The ideal working careers for emotionally disabled people are the ones that have limited or inexistent social contact.

  • ·        Welder.
  • ·        Electronic engineer.
  • ·        Electrician.
  • ·        Computer animation.

Finding a job is never an easy thing to do, but earning your money is the most rewarding way to fulfill your needs. Don’t let frustration knock on your door. Inform yourself of the legal policies that force employers to have disabled people in their workforce and look for careers that suit your strongest skills. Keep trying and never settle for less than what you deserve.