Work It Out: Your Guide to Getting a Job
Did you know that about one in four people with disabilities in the U.S. are currently employed? This is an all-time high, signalling that there are more people with disabilities who are ready for the workplace and employers who want to hire them. However, we know that, with more training, this number can even be higher! Unemployment among people with disabilities is nearly twice that of those without disabilities. NNCIL (SNCIL) is one of many agencies working to close that gap by providing needed employment training and resources.
Having a job is important. It not only increases your financial independence, giving you greater access to things like housing, health care, and transportation, but it also boosts your confidence, giving you a sense of accomplishment and pride. Plus, it benefits your mental health, giving you a sense of purpose, helping you to feel included, and giving structure to your days. It also helps you to learn how to solve problems, communicate and work with others, pursue your goals, and adapt to new situations.
And employers who hire people with disabilities often benefit from being inclusive. Research done in 2023 found that companies that make a point to include people with disabilities actually earn twice as much profit — and its people earn more than double the incomes — as companies that don’t.
Hiring people with disabilities gives employers access to a much wider pool of talent and perspective that helps their companies perform better. Plus, the American College of Healthcare Executives found that 97% of human resources managers say people with disabilities perform at the same level as, if not better than, their peers who don’t have disabilities.
If you’re ready to dip your toes into that talent pool and join the world of work, this section is for you! In these pages, we’ll cover:
- Know Your Employment Rights
- Resources for Finding the Right Job
- Overcoming Application Barriers
- Applications, Resumes, and Interviews
