Starting the New Year and setting goals when job hunting can assist in making tasks easier. Below are some useful tips for people with disabilities and without.
Finding a job while living with a disability can come with extra layers—accessibility barriers, health variability, gaps in work history, and the mental load of deciding when (or whether) to disclose. The good news is that there are practical strategies that make the process more manageable and increase your odds of landing a role that truly fits your life.
A helpful starting point
The goal isn’t just “getting hired.” It’s finding work that’s sustainable, accessible, and aligned with your strengths.
Get clear on your best-fit work conditions
Before you apply widely, define what you need to thrive. This saves time and reduces burnout.
Consider:
- Remote, hybrid, or on-site (and what commute is realistic)
- Flexible schedule vs. fixed shifts
- Sensory environment (noise, lighting, pace)
- Physical demands (standing, lifting, repetitive motion)
- Meeting load and communication style
- Benefits and time-off policies that support your health needs
Write down your top 5 non-negotiables and your top 5 preferences.
Target roles that match strengths and reduce strain
Many people search by job title alone. A better method is searching by task type and work style.
Examples of work styles that can be a fit depending on needs:
- Project-based or asynchronous work
- Roles with predictable routines
- Writing, research, analysis, design, customer support, coordination
- Tech-enabled roles that value outcomes over constant presence
Focus on roles where your strengths are the main requirement—not where you’ll have to “push through” your limits daily.
Build a resume that communicates value quickly
A resume works best when it’s built around outcomes, not just duties.
Try this structure under each role:
- What you were responsible for
- What you improved
- What measurable outcome happened (time saved, errors reduced, revenue supported, customers helped)
If there are gaps, use a simple, calm approach:
- Group work by “Relevant Experience” rather than strict chronology
- Include freelance, volunteer, caregiving, or training if it demonstrates skills
- Add a short “Skills Summary” at the top to anchor attention on capability
Harvard offers some great templates to help you get started. Alternatively, if you are uncomfortable with shaping your resume, there are AI resume builders with free trials, such as Resume Now.
Use accommodations strategically
You don’t have to disclose a disability to request many practical supports during a hiring process—but accommodations are available when you need them.
Examples:
- Extra time for assessments
- Alternative interview formats (video vs. phone, written prompts)
- Captioning or interpreter support
- Accessible testing platforms
- Clear agenda and questions ahead of time (sometimes granted)
If you choose to request accommodations, keep it simple and job-focused:
- “To participate fully in the interview, I’ll need ____.”
Prepare for interviews in a way that lowers stress
Interviews can be draining, especially if symptoms fluctuate.
Helpful tactics:
- Practice 6–8 core stories (challenge, conflict, win, mistake, growth, teamwork)
- Use a notes sheet (bullet points, not scripts)
- Ask for next steps and expectations at the end
- Plan recovery time after interviews (don’t schedule back-to-back)
A strong interview isn’t perfect—it’s clear, prepared, and grounded.
Focus your search with smarter filters
Instead of applying everywhere, focus on better-fit employers and roles.
Look for signals like:
- Remote/hybrid options stated clearly
- Transparent pay ranges and job expectations
- Inclusive benefits and flexible leave policies
- Specific, measurable responsibilities (not vague “wear many hats” chaos)
Also consider “foot-in-the-door” routes:
- Contract roles
- Part-time roles with growth potential
- Returnships or internships
- Skills-based projects that convert to offers
Keep your energy sustainable with a simple weekly system
Job searching can become a full-time cognitive load. A small system helps you stay consistent.
A realistic weekly rhythm:
- 2–3 application blocks per week
- 1 networking outreach day (short messages)
- 1 skills day (coursework, portfolio work)
- 1 admin day (follow-ups, resume tweaks)
Consistency beats marathon sessions.
Entrepreneurship as an alternative path
For some people with disabilities, entrepreneurship can offer what traditional employment doesn’t: more control over schedule, pacing, work environment, and how energy gets used. If this is part of your plan and you want a clear way to understand the setup and cost, you can review options to start an LLC with ZenBusiness (or a similar platform/registration options). It’s not “easier” than getting a job, but it can be more customizable—especially if you build something around your strengths and constraints.
Ways to explore it without overcommitting:
- Start with a small service or product you can deliver consistently
- Test demand before scaling (one offer, one audience, one channel)
- Set boundaries early (hours, response times, turnaround)
- Keep admin simple and track money from day one
Tip: a number of grants are available for entrepreneurs with disabilities.
A quick checklist to land a job
☐ Define top work needs (schedule, environment, flexibility, commute)
☐ Target roles by tasks and work style, not just titles
☐ Rewrite resume bullets as outcomes and improvements
☐ Prepare interview stories and a simple notes sheet
☐ Decide ahead of time how you’ll handle accommodations
☐ Use a weekly job-search rhythm to protect energy
☐ Consider entrepreneurship if flexibility is a top priority
Final thoughts
Job searching with a disability is not just about getting hired—it’s about finding work that supports your health and your future. With clearer targeting, stronger storytelling on your resume, thoughtful interview prep, and a sustainable weekly system, the process becomes more manageable and more effective. And if traditional roles don’t offer the flexibility you need, entrepreneurship can be a legitimate alternative worth exploring on your terms.
Discover how Visual Vitality Consulting Inc. can help your business thrive and ensure ADA compliance. Call us today at 1-888-349-6177 or check us out at www.visualvitality.org for a list of our services.
Author: Jackie Waters
Ms. Waters is a mother of four boys and lives on a farm in Oregon. She is passionate about providing a healthy and happy home for her family, and aims to provide advice for others on how to do the same with her site Hyper-Tidy.com. She has been inspired to do some home improvements lately to make it easier for her visually-impaired sister-in-law to navigate their house since she recently came to live with them.
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