Jobs For People With Learning Disabilities

Jobs For People With Learning Difficulties

Related

• Is Leadership an Inherent Trait or a Developed Skill?

Jobs for people with learning disabilities run the gamut from a baker, fashion designer, illustrator and photographer to a veterinary assistant, entrepreneur, actor, computer programmer, filmmaker, banker and a host of other exciting careers. Adults with learning disabilities jobs are available in just about every industry and business sector imaginable. The diverse range in the types of jobs for people with disabilities means a job is out there waiting for anyone with a learning difficulty. All you have to do is find a job or a career that’s ideally suited to your skill set or education and where your particular learning difficulty is not an unmanageable obstacle. On the contrary, LD just may turn out to be an asset!

Learning Difficulties And Career Success

It just goes to show you that jobs for people with learning disabilities are like any other jobs out there: Diverse, challenging and a far cry from ordinary and unfulfilling. With focus, ambition and a firm belief in themselves, anyone can aspire to become successful in their dream job or career despite having a learning difficulty. In fact, people with ADHD are 300 percent more likely than others to start their own companies. That impetuous entrepreneurial spirit seems to thrive in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and once they’ve mastered the well-crafted to-do list, there’s no stopping these dynamos.

Experiencing time and time management differently than those without ADHD, some successful business people with ADHD, such as Kinko’s founder Paul Orfalea, use their disability to their advantage and consider it a blessing. Surprisingly, Orfalea credits his success in part to his combo of dyslexia and ADHD, saying in a recent interview, My learning disability gave me certain advantages because I was able to live in the moment and capitalize on the opportunities I spotted.

Teaching Digital Literacy To Students With Cognitive And Visual Disabilities Leads To Tech Jobs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that more than half of all jobs require some degree of technology skills. How does this impact students with disabilities who often lack digital literacy? Current vocational training for students with disabilities such as Down Syndrome and autism often means Food, flowers or filth jobs food service jobs, basic landscaping and janitorial work.

Students with Down syndrome and autism especially students who additionally are visually impaired are good candidates for many jobs in the IT field, such as data entry or web content management. Microsoft and SAP are committed to recruiting employees with autism who have technical skills but who struggle with the social skills necessary to make it through the interview process. Read CNETs article, How Tech Means Jobs Ahead for Kids with Cognitive Disabilities for details.

Are there tech curriculums geared for middle and high school students with cognitive disabilities? One option is Digitability. Digitability is an integrated solution complete with a full online curriculum for digital literacy and transition to independence created for students with cognitive disabilities. This program has 250 separate lessons that break down concepts into small, teachable steps and Digitability incorporates real world work simulations.

Also Check: How To Calculate Disability Benefits

Best Jobs For Individuals With Learning Disorders

Job opportunities for adults with learning disabilities are expansive and encompass many different industries. When analyzing an employment opportunity, its important to ensure you feel comfortable performing the job tasks that will be required of you. Consider the reasonable accommodations an employer may be willing to provide when choosing whether a position suits your skill level and abilities. Here are some of the best jobs for people with learning disabilities, including details on salary and growth outlook.

Employment Services For People With Disabilities

We advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Through the Americas Job Center of CaliforniaSM , we provide universal access to services so that all job seekers with disabilities receive equal employment opportunities.

We also help job seekers with disabilities who need additional services become qualified for employment. These services include:

• Referrals to job openings or training.
• Career counseling.
• Job search assistance and workshops.
• Referrals to supportive services in the community.

Don’t Miss: How To Get Social Security Disability Approved

Healthcare Medical Office And Social Services

Medical office:

You don’t usually need to be very mobile to work in a medical office or hospital department. And many health industry employers value having employees who understand what some of their patients might be going through. Plus, areas like medical billing and coding often provide telecommuting opportunities, making it a great source of jobs for disabled people at home.

14. Medical office assistants:

18. Sales representatives for drug companies:

• Median annual wage: $65,420

Counseling:

Why not help others find great jobs for people with disabilities? With the wisdom drawn from your own experiences, you can do a world of good as an occupational guidance counselor to disabled students and adults.

19. Vocational counseling:

• Job growth: 11%

Top 8 Job Opportunities For People With Learning Disabilities

Beryl Benacerraf is an accomplished radiologist but had a history of dyslexia.

Dona Sarkar, the chief engineer at Microsoft, confesses having issues with reading during her school days she still prefers images over letters and numbers

David Boes, who New York Times termed as, the lawyer everyone wants, has made his illustrious career despite having dyslexia.

All these living examples of success indicate that intelligence has nothing to do with reading and writing abilities some dyslexics have been exceptionally intelligent and did great work. It is completely possible for people with learning difficulties to learn courses of their choice, no matter how complex or difficult those are. Also, they can join mainstream society with the help of their skills and stand on their feet by gaining eligibility needed for various jobs.

Read Also: 100 Disabled Veteran Dental Benefits For Family

If You Have Difficulty Reading:

• Install text-to-speech software on your work computer. Windows® has a built-in text-to-speech feature. From the Home button, go to All Programs, then Accessories, then Ease of Access, then Narrator. Or download free software such as Natural Reader.
• Request that your boss give you oral rather than written directions.
• Ask that important information be highlighted.
• Discuss reading material with co-workers.
• Make drawings, diagrams, and/or flowcharts as you read to help organize the information.

Types Of Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities can impact relationships and interactions with others. Being able to find ways to cope with learning depends on the type of disability the person has.

Most people misinterpret attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism as a learning disability, but neither actually are. They are spectrum disorders that may also affect learning, but they are not directly involved.

The most common types of learning disorders are:

Don’t Miss: Social Security Disability Caregiver Pay

Job Problem: You Have Difficulty Doing More Than One Task While Managing Interruptions From Co

Possible accommodations:

• Put up a Do Not Disturb sign when you really need to work without interruption.
• Write down what you were doing when interruptions occur, so that you can resume your work seamlessly.
• Do one task at a time. Do not start a new one until the current one is complete.
• Initiate telephone calls rather than waiting for people to call back.
• Ask your supervisor to clarify priorities.
• Work on major projects early, late, or on weekends when the office is quiet.

In The Service Of Others

ADHD therapist

She can trace ADHD symptoms in her family to before the Revolutionary War. Stephanie Sarkis has made it her business to help others who are facing challenges with ADHD.

Ambassador

The first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate felt the stigma of growing up with dyslexia. Carol Moseley Braun also served as an ambassador and has worked to change our education system for the better.

Consumer advocate

Her school classmates teased her for having dyslexia. Erin Brockovich got her start as a file clerk for a law firm on a landmark case against a power company that was polluting water.

Mentoring organization founder

He was told to just try harder. But David Flink realized that with ADHD and dyslexia, he needed to try smarter. He founded Eye to Eye, a mentoring organization for youth who learn differently.

Mentor, poet, speaker, and activist

In school, he was labeled and placed in separate classes. LeDerick Horne turned his experiences into a career as a poet and speaker, and he now works with schools.

Politician

As a kid, the governor of California sat in the back of the class, praying not to be called on. Still nervous about reading out loud, Gavin Newsom memorizes his speeches so he doesnt have to.

School founder

Growing up, Eric Tucker didnt know he had ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning challenges. As an adult, he decided to found a school based on personalized learning.

Special education teacher

Youth advocate

Read Also: Can You Get Disability For Arthritis In Your Back

Welcome To Careers Support Solutions

CAREERS is a not-for-profit organization whose fundamental goal is to help individuals with disabilities in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, NY achieve the satisfaction of sustained, gainful employment at no cost to them, their families or employers.

Since 1987, CAREERS has been successfully helping people with learning, developmental, psychiatric, and/or physical disabilities find and keep jobs. To meet the needs of the community, our newest program helps seniors with and without disabilities to find suitable employment.

Our experienced and qualified staff work one-on-one with people to meet their needs and place them in jobs based upon their abilities and interests. We provide on-the-job training and long-term support for as long as each person needs often for many years.

To learn more about our programs, watch our video here!

Think Carefully Before Revealing Your Disability

You may want to avoid disclosing that you have a disability during certain phases of your job search. After all, you probably don’t want potential employers prejudging your abilities or stereotyping you before even having the chance to meet you face-to-face. That’s why many disability-employment counselors recommend not mentioning your limitations on your resume or in your cover letter.

That said, in some situations, revealing your disability can be to your advantage. For instance, if you are going after a job in a federal agency, disclosing your disability can make you eligible for Schedule A hiring. And some employers seek out professionals with disabilities to add more diversity to their teams. In addition, at the application or interview stage, you might be legally required to disclose your disability if you require any special accommodations.

Don’t Miss: Different Types Of Learning Disabilities

Types Of Jobs For People With Learning Disabilities

Like anything else, learning difficulties are only disabilities or problems when they interfere with your personal or work life. Certainly problems with memory, time management and organization could impact your workday, and they can present difficult challenges. But with expert guidance, perseverance, the desire to overcome challenges and taking medication, if necessary, you can be successful at any number of jobs, as you can see. Other ideal jobs and careers for someone with learning difficulties include:

Counselor: Growing up with learning disabilities often gives people an edge over others in the empathy department. Keenly aware of what it’s like to be different or viewed as less capable than their classmates while in school often makes people more empathetic to others less fortunate than themselves. Keep in mind, learning difficulty has nothing to do with capability or intelligence.

Nursing Assistant: Again, empathy is a key component in the job of a nursing assistant, where caring for others is the essence of the job. From dressing wounds and moving patients to bathing and grooming your charges, the career of nursing assistant requires above-average empathy.

References

Jobs For People With Learning Disabilities

There are many different types of employment available. So it is important to consider what tasks the individual can perform and enjoys doing.

Some people with learning disabilities may be in customer serviceor the food service industry.

Others may enjoy working in a retail setting. There are also several options for those interested in clerical work or data entry.

The next step is to research companies that support employees with learning disabilities.

There are several online resources available that can help with this task.

It is also important to reach out to local disability organizations for help and support.

So lets dig deep into what are the best jobs for people with learning disabilities:

Don’t Miss: How Much Can I Get On Disability

Nys Office For People With Developmental Disabilities

The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities is responsible for coordinating services for NYS residents with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, and other neurological impairments.

Examples of services that OPWDD provides includes:

• Care Coordination

The New York State Office of Mental Health operates psychiatric centers across the State. OMH also regulates, certifies and oversees more than 4,500 programs, operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies.

Americans With Disabilities Act Ticket To Work And Other Helpful Resources

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act requires all American government agencies and all companies that get money from the federal government to work toward building workforces consisting of at least seven percent disabled adults.

The Americans with Disabilities Act also includes protection from employment discrimination. The law is designed to ensure everyone can be involved in their communities, including those who envision working while disabled.

The Ticket to Work and Self Sufficiency Program is government-funded and dedicated to assisting disabled Americans in preparing for, securing, and keeping employment. The ultimate goal is financial independence.

Many resources like the Job Accommodation Network also exist to help employers understand what accommodations can be made for workers with various limitations.

Also Check: Can You Work If On Disability

Job Problem: You Have No Inner Sense Of Direction

Possible accommodations:

• Use maps and keep copies handy, both at home and at work.
• Have directions written, highlighting significant changes in direction.
• Ask people to accompany you to unfamiliar places.
• Practice going from one place to another using maps and noting landmarks.
• Hang pictures or other items on walls in ways that make the left and right side different from each other.

Careers Working With The Disabled

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

For those who are passionate about service, a career devoted to helping others allows them to fulfill their passion. Jobs with the disabled span across industries and experience levels. By taking the time to review the unique opportunities available to you, you can determine which career path is right for you and the steps you need to take to achieve it.

In this article, we define disabilities, review the categories used to classify disabilities and list 15 jobs that allow professionals to work with disabled people, along with their salary expectations and key job responsibilities.

Related:Human Skills: Definitions and Examples

Read Also: Signs That You Lost Your Disability Hearing

What Are Your Employment Rights As Someone With A Learning Disability

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and subsequent Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 help protect people with disabilities, including learning disabilities, from discrimination. The laws ban any local, state and federal agencyand any private employer with at least 15 employeesfrom discriminating against someone based on their disability.

If you can do the job on your own or with reasonable accommodations from the employer, it could be illegal for them to deny you employment because you have a disability. These accommodations can vary widely and might include screen readers or speech-to-text software, visual aids or a job mentor.

Employers also generally can’t directly ask you or require you to disclose if you have a disability during the interview process. They may be able to ask after making a conditional offer if they’re also asking other applicants the same questions, however.

The ADA protections also cover you while you’re employed. It is illegal for employers to discriminate against someone with disabilities in their employment practices, including promotions, pay, benefits and firing. It’s also against the law for a company to retaliate against you if you exercise your rights.

Your specific rights protections and rights can depend on where you live because some states have additional laws.

Good Jobs For People With Learning Disabilities

This category of disability sometimes gets overlooked, maybe because the different types of learning disabilities are so diverse. After all, one person might have imperfect reading, writing, or spelling abilities, whereas another person may have difficulty with using numbers, speaking, thinking, or listening. Even problems with memory, time management, and organization are sometimes considered learning disabilities.

Well-known conditions such as dyslexia and ADHD are only two of the many possible learning disabilities that can make it challenging to build a successful career. But you dont have to be held back by your challenges. Some of humanitys greatest contributorssuch as Leonardo da Vinci and Albert Einsteinmay have had learning disabilities.

Although you might have challenges in one area, you may have real strengths and talents in another. For example, many people with at least one learning disability have valuable traits such as resilience, empathy, or creativity. Others seem to have a natural ability to speak in public or see the bigger picture. Thats why a lot of the careers that have already been mentioned are often good jobs for people with learning disabilities. Here are a few other possibilities to consider:

Filmmaker

Average yearly wages:

• Film and video editors$80,300
• Directors of motion pictures$105,550

Entrepreneur

Average yearly wages: varies widely, from less than $50,000 to more than $200,000

You May Like: Apply For Disability In Georgia