Some of the most common questions asked by people with disabilities looking for work are, what are the best jobs, and which ones pay the most? The simple answer is that people with disabilities can do many of the jobs as anyone else.
Depending on whether you have a physical, mental, learning or sensory disability, there may be certain jobs better suited for your talents and abilities. While disabilities vary from person to person, the first step to finding a job is believing you can work and seeking the support of experts to help prepare, guide and train you for a great job.
So, if you are ready to work, here are only a few ideas of careers to consider. Remember, the options are limitless, and the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services can help develop a personalized plan and connect you with employers, all free of charge.
Jobs for People with Physical Disabilities
If you have a physical disability, finding a great job or career is in your reach. Most employers make accommodations to ensure workers with disabilities have the same opportunity to work and succeed in the workplace. There are service industry jobs that usually don’t require much mobility, such as office workers, finance, marketing, bookkeeping, marketing and technology. As the economy moves more and more to online, and telecommuting has become more common since the pandemic, there are opportunities from working with large, Fortune 500 companies to smaller ones, and even to starting your own business.
Jobs for People with Sensory Disabilities
Everyday, people with sensory disabilities – such as full or partial deafness – are working successfully in Connecticut in large and small businesses. Some of the top sectors employing people who are deaf are manufacturing, healthcare, retail, professional services, and construction, according to a report from the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes. Food service is another industry where people who are deaf are successfully working, such as Barbara Hunt at Unbakeables Cookie Dough Treats in Norwalk. Watch Barbara’s story here.
Jobs for People with Autism
People with autism have proven to be dependable, motivated employees and companies that employ people them have seen real business benefits, according to the Harvard Business Review. Depending on an autistic person’s interests and proficiencies, there are many rewarding and good paying careers available. Often, these are jobs that provide structure, organization and attention to detail. These include animal sciences, accounting, art, IT and manufacturing. Another opportunity is being a business owner, like George Manesiotis from Big G’s Cookies. Watch his story here.
Jobs for People with Learning Disabilities
There are many types of learning or intellectual disabilities, so ensuring an assessment is done to determine a person’s skills and talents is an important first step to take. People with learning or developmental disabilities are working in many industries such as service positions, in restaurants, in agriculture and manufacturing jobs. Other common jobs are where there are predictable work patterns, such as on assembly lines. You can also find people with learning disabilities, such as Kim Camlet who is a proofing and quality assurance analyst at United Healthcare. Watch her story here.
Take the first step
The bottom line is there are a world of opportunities for people with disabilities of all types to find employment, and many employers who are seeking their talents. BRS has offices throughout the state that have specialists who can help you or answer your questions. Find the office closest to you. You can also call the main number at 800-537-2449 or fill out our contact form.