For the millions of Canadians living with one or more disabilities, finding a job can be incredibly difficult. In fact, people with disabilities often have to apply for 60 percent more jobs than people without disabilities.
Finding a job with a disability can be tough. You may feel that employers look or judge you differently than your non-disabled counterparts. Luckily, employers are starting to change their attitudes, and with the right tech tools, people with disabilities can find a job in today’s market. However, it may require you to whip out your smartphone.
In this guide, we explore some of the ways that people with disabilities can leverage technology to help them find and advance their careers in today’s tech landscape.
Leverage the Gig Economy
One of the most significant barriers to work can be disabilities that prevent you from actually leaving your home and going to an on-site job. Fortunately, the explosion of the gig economy can help those with disabilities work from the place they’re most comfortable — their homes. This mixture of freelancing jobs, at-home work, and crowdsourcing is enabling people with disabilities to join the workforce without ever stepping foot outside.
Job board websites provide people with the ability to tap into revenue streams from their computers or smartphones. And we aren’t talking pennies here. Around 20 percent of freelancers earn over $100,000 per year, though there are certainly people on the low end of the spectrum making minimum wage (or less).
Think about the skills you have that could earn you a living at home, even if you’ve previously worked in a different field. For example, are you a software smartie? Consider being a website QA tester for large and small companies. Do you have entrepreneurial ambitions? Start a consulting business in your field of expertise. The possibilities truly are endless if you market yourself in the gig economy.
Use Employment Apps
For the more than 31 million Canadians holstering a smartphone in their pocket, finding a job with job-seeking apps has never been easier. Apps like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor give people the ability to browse jobs by type and pay. But, for people with disabilities, these jobs give you something else — insights into company behaviours.
Past reviews from users can give you insights into the company’s culture which can help you understand whether a business is disabled-friendly. Try searching for reviews by the word “disabled,” “disability,” or “handicap” to find out if people with disabilities have shared their experiences with any companies you’re considering. Some employers are simply more open-minded and willing to hire people with disabilities than others. Try to find those companies.
Use Preparation Apps
What’s the most difficult part of the job-seeking process? Chances are you’re going to say the interview. It’s the make-or-break part of the job process that can throw you off your ballgame fast. Those fast-paced questions with open-ended answers can be a headache to answer correctly. What answers are they looking for? What should you say when they ask for your biggest weakness? What if you can’t answer a tricky question on the spot?
Luckily, there are apps out there to help you. Monster Interviews can help prepare you for each company’s interview process, and Glassdoor has an entire section dedicated to interview questions that businesses have asked. Familiarizing yourself with each company’s interview process can help you navigate those questions with ease.
While finding a job as a person with disabilities can have its challenges, it’s not impossible. With the rise of smartphone apps and modern tech, finding a job has never been easier. Just make sure that you bring along the right smartphone and prepare for your interviews thoroughly.
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