Practical Job Search Tips for Individuals with Disabilities
- Tanya Lee
- Jul 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 20
Looking for a job is already a high-wire act—but for individuals with disabilities, it’s often a balancing act performed on a platform that wasn’t built for you. The process isn't just about applications and interviews; it’s about reading between the lines, finding places where your skills can thrive, and knowing when a system isn’t built to support you, and going around it. Here’s how to job hunt with clarity, strategy, and the confidence to claim space, not just request it.
Start with Employers That Walk the Talk
Not every job board deserves your attention. Instead of spraying your résumé into the void, get precise about where you look. Focus on companies that have demonstrated their commitment to accessibility, not just talked about it. The goal isn’t to beg for inclusion—it’s to be valued from day one. That starts with narrowing your search to companies that seek out inclusive employers, where practices match promises and diversity is lived, not listed.
Add Education to Your Toolkit, On Your Terms
If the roles you want feel just out of reach, it might be time to level up with a degree, without sacrificing accessibility. Online education has exploded in both quality and credibility, and a well-chosen degree can unlock roles where your voice carries more weight.
Business communication programs, in particular, blend soft and strategic skills that matter across industries. If you’re ready to broaden your career options, learn about business communication strategies that let you study from anywhere, move at your own pace, and build credentials that travel with you.
Show, Don’t Just Tell, What You Bring
Applications are rarely built to showcase nuance. That means the burden falls on you to bring your strengths into focus. It’s not about downplaying your disability; it’s about framing your lived experience as a toolkit full of problem-solving, grit, and perspective.
You want hiring managers to see your application and think, “This person is already doing the hard stuff.” The most effective way to stand out? Showcase abilities in applications by translating every bullet point into value delivered, not boxes checked.
Remote Isn’t Plan B—It’s a Smart Play
Working from home is more than a convenience—it’s a competitive edge. For job seekers with disabilities, remote work levels the playing field that otherwise demands constant negotiation.
That’s why it’s essential for employers to consider remote options not just as a temporary solution—but as a long-term strategy for building inclusive workplaces. And it’s why here at Disability Solutions we strive to connect job seekers with inclusive employers who understand that flexibility isn’t a favor—it’s part of equity.
Other sites like Remote.com (and HR and Payroll engine for employers), are helping connect applicants with disability-inclusive job opportunities.
Name Your Needs Early and Clearly
You shouldn’t have to wait until someone gives you permission to ask for what you need. Whether it’s extra time for an assessment or access to specific tech tools, flagging your accommodation requests early helps set the tone—and saves you from scrambling later.
The ADA backs you up here, and the law is on your side. The best time to request accommodations is in advance, before the pressure’s on, when you’re in the driver’s seat, not reacting to surprise barriers.
Have questions about accommodations? Try out AskJanet, a conversational Al tool that instantly answers questions about ADA accommodations using the latest information from the EEOC.
Prep for the Interview—Then Shape It
Interviews are often designed with one type of candidate in mind—and it’s not always you. That doesn’t mean you have to fit into their format. It means you get to expand it. Asking for clarity about format, length, and expectations is not just reasonable—it’s smart. When it comes to asking for a shift in process, learn how to make that ask with confidence using tips for requesting interview accommodations that keep the conversation focused on outcomes, not obstacles.
Two of the most powerful interview tools you can learn are the S-E-T and S-T-A-R methods. These frameworks help you craft clear, focused, and impactful answers to behavioral interview questions (the ones that start with "Tell me about a time when..."). Read more about these interview methods here.
Unlock more key interview insights by joining our weekly job seeker webinars. Gain essential job search tips, expert advice on applications and interviewing, participate in practice interviews, and more.
You’re Not Alone—Build Your Circle
The most valuable jobs rarely go to the person who clicks “submit” the fastest—they go to the one with the strongest network. And for disabled job seekers, that network might look different, but it’s no less powerful. Whether it’s peer groups, alumni connections, or sector-specific communities, relationships matter. It’s worth the effort to cultivate relationships that open doors, because the people who understand your path are the most likely to help you find the next one.
Final Thoughts for Your Job Search Journey
The job market has blind spots. Don’t let them become your self-image. The barriers you face aren’t reflections of your ability—they’re reflections of the spaces still catching up. Your story is one of persistence, adaptation, and resilience. The skills you’ve built navigating life with a disability? Those are business skills. And when you speak from that truth, employers don’t just hear a candidate—they hear a leader.
Get more job seeker resources including helpful articles and tools, live webinars and advice from the pros, and much more.
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