Inclusive Disability Resources

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Disabilities come in many forms, and as such so do their resources to best assist you in both your career search and the workplace itself. Although there are legal protections in place for disabilities in the workplace, there will always be questions to consider about your identity. These may include: 

• Should I disclose my disability? 
• If I decide to disclose my disability, when is the best time to do so? 
• How can I ensure my disability is accommodated in the workplace? 

Most of these questions can be answered with the same sentiment; it is up to you to decide what you are comfortable with. By reading the resources below, hopefully you determine what is best for you. 

A consideration for this affinity group is self-employment. Many people have taken this route of using the small business resources available to them in combination with their personal skills to create a work environment from the ground up that suits their needs. We have listed those small business resources, among others, and encourage you to check them out. 

Resources

Aspire Chicago - Aspire’s mission is to support the successes of children and adults with developmental disabilities, strengthen their families and build embracing communities. They work with partner companies to establish positions in the Midwest that are well suited for disabled individuals. Aspire also provides job training for specific industries so disabled individuals are capable of and comfortable with working in these environments. 

American Association of People with Disabilities - The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation. 

Autism, United States Department of Labor – US Department of Labor’s directory for Autism related employment resources. 

Chronically Capable - Organization that assists chronically ill individuals by providing connections to flexible employers for chronic illness and disability employment. 

Disability:IN - The Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable is a committee that was founded by Disability:IN to further promote the hiring of Neurodivergent employees. Founded in 2017, the Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable is a collection of employers committed to neurodiversity-focused hiring initiatives. Though we span many industries, we share a belief that organizations thrive when they tap into the unique talents of their employees, and individuals thrive when they can present their best self at work. 

Disclosing a Disability, Career One Stop - This resource aims to provide more information on the disclosure of a disability. This includes answering questions such as starting the conversation of disclosure, whether you are required to disclose, when to disclose, and more. 

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues. JAN consultants and employment specialists are highly qualified and experienced thought leaders and innovators on disability employment issues. 

Learning Disabilities Association of America - List of nationally rooted resources for disabled job seekers and current employees. These resources range from workplace accommodations, to finding pathways to employment, and more. 

National Disability Rights Network - The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP). There is a P&A/CAP agency in every state and U.S. territory as well as one serving the Native American population in the four corners region. Collectively, the P&A/CAP network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States. 

Rehabilitation Services Administration - The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) provides leadership and resources to assist state and other agencies in providing vocational rehabilitation and other services to individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence, and integration into the community and the competitive labor market. 

Teaching the Autism Community Trades – Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT) is specifically targeted at reducing the Autism unemployment gap through providing necessary skills to obtain trade jobs. 

US Bureau of Labor Statistics – This is a resource for individuals to pursue self-employment. Career Outlook articles provide data and information on a variety of topics—including occupations and industries, pay and benefits, and more. These articles are helpful for students, career counselors, jobseekers, and others planning careers. 

US Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy - ODEP's mission is to develop and influence policies and practices that increase the number and quality of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. To fulfill this mission, ODEP promotes the adoption and implementation of ODEP policy strategies and effective practices — meaning those that ODEP has developed and/or validated — that will impact the employment of people with disabilities. ODEP's approach is to drive systems and practice changes by disseminating ODEP policy strategies and effective practices, sharing information, and providing technical assistance to government agencies, service providers and non-governmental entities, as well as public and private employers. 

 

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