With help from digital technology, differently-abled individuals no longer have to feel limited in terms of their career prospects. There are a number of ways you can use modern tech to your advantage, whether you’re learning new skills, networking, or seeking new employment. In this article, we’ll explore a few handy tips for furthering your career as a differently abled individual.
Remote Learning
If you don’t feel you’re adequately prepared to apply for the roles you want, you’ll find no shortage of online resources available that can help you to learn new skills or gain knowledge in your desired field. You can take free online courses or even get a certification or degree without ever attending classes in person. These opportunities also provide an easy way to network with
other professionals, which could help you find a job or get your foot in the door of your desired industry.
Consider a Home-based Business
If you’re not comfortable working in a traditional office setting, or if you have a potentially profitable idea, you might want to consider starting your own home-based business. With technology, all aspects of starting a business can be carried out fully online, including financing, creating a business plan, and even meeting with potential investors. Even if you’re working with employees, platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams make it easy to manage personnel remotely.
Use Assistive Technologies
There are a number of assistive technologies tailored to a variety of disabilities that you can make use of to further your career. As computers are widely used in most vocations, you may be able to use alternative hardware, such as keyboards and input devices. Programs that can be adapted to accommodate various needs are also available, including screen magnifiers, voice recognition, and screen reading software.
If you work in an in-person environment, you can request mobility, seating, and positioning aids from your employer if you need these to make your job possible. If you have a physical disability, you may need to be provided with lifts, ramps, and special parking spaces.
Finding Employment
When you’re job searching, it’s important to have a well-written resume and an up-to-date LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is invaluable for building connections in your field and can be used to find job opportunities. If you opt for the premium version, you’ll also be able to check who’s viewed your profile and send direct messages.
When building your resume, be sure to highlight your skills and make mention of any notable accomplishments. Having a professional-looking resume will help you stand out from the pile of candidates recruiters receive, so try a resume creator and free templates to achieve this. You’ll
be able to select colors and designs that suit your preferences and then add your photo and relevant work experience.
Once you’re ready to search for a job, it’s important to seek out a job that best suits you and use the appropriate tools to apply for it. Most job applications are time-consuming, as you’ll be required to fill in copious amounts of details in order to be considered, so it’s best not to waste your efforts on positions you aren’t invested in trying.
You may also consider applying for fully remote jobs, as these are far more available now that more and more companies are transitioning toward a hybrid work environment. There are a number of job boards that are dedicated solely to remote jobs, which should help you narrow down your search.
With leaps in remote technology, differently-abled individuals are increasingly equipped to find employment that accommodates them and meets their needs. With the right tools at your disposal, you’ll be able to bolster your expertise with the necessary skills and successfully land a job in a burgeoning field.
Accessibility Solutions aims to find the right technological fix for various challenges that are faced by those who are differently abled. Find a personalized solution at: http://www.aas123.com
Andrea Needham, eldersday.org
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