Technology Can Help Disabled Jobseekers Get Back to Work

By Patrick Young

Technology has transformed the modern workplace. From office buildings to warehouses, factories to farms — technology makes workplaces today safer, more efficient, and profitable.

Technology isn’t just changing how we work. It’s also changing who works. Long excluded from the workforce due to a lack of accessible facilities and equipment — and more importantly, bias — people with disabilities are using technology to take their careers to new heights.

Are you wondering how technology can help you achieve your career goals? Whether you have aspirations of a law career or are still exploring your options, here are three ways you can harness technology to advance your career.

Online Education

Whether you’re just starting your career or planning the next step in professional development, online education can get you there. Online degree programs are more rigorous and respected today than in the past, allowing students to earn accredited undergraduate and advanced degrees online.

These include online business degrees to hone your management skills whether you work in business, IT, or healthcare; tech degrees in computer science, web development, and cybersecurity; and accounting programs to start working toward your CPA. You can even complete your pre-law bachelor’s degree online before applying to law school.

Remote Careers

An online degree lets you upskill at home, but what about when it’s time to put those skills to work? People with disabilities can do that at home, too, thanks to a surge in remote hiring and employment. A remote career eliminates barriers presented by conventional workplaces and allows employees to work where they’re most comfortable and capable.

Remote jobs also grant greater flexibility. Whether it’s freelancing, flex schedules, or part-time work, the rise in remote hiring has made it easier for people with disabilities to find work that suits their lifestyle. The biggest challenge is learning how to stay productive while working from home!

Some companies, like Northrop Grumman, Wells Fargo, and Humana, have a reputation for flexible work and inclusive hiring practices. Job seekers can also find work-from-home positions on WeWorkRemotely, FlexJobs, Hubstaff Talent, and other remote job boards or by using remote work keywords on traditional job boards like Indeed.

Assistive Technology at Work

Assistive technology isn’t new. Screen readers, magnifiers, and adaptive keyboards have been helping people with disabilities use technology for a long time. However, only recently have employers started realizing just how easy it is to adapt the workplace for disabled staff.

Assistive technologies range from low-tech adaptations like a wheelchair-accessible desk or large screen to high-tech solutions like augmented reality, voice-activated assistants, and eye-tracking communication devices. Many of these accommodations cost next to nothing to implement. Windows 10, for example, comes with a built-in screen reader, screen magnifier, and closed captioning, along with other accessibility features at no extra cost. When employers do have to invest in special accommodations, most cost less than $600.

Despite the availability of assistive technology, many employers remain unaware of what’s out there. As a result, stigma and misconceptions still stand in the way of fair hiring for people with disabilities. To overcome this hurdle, disabled jobseekers should understand exactly what assistive technology they require and what’s involved in implementing it, then advocate for their needs at work.

A disability may change the way you work, but it shouldn’t stop you from achieving a fulfilling career. If you keep hitting barriers to professional success, consider how you can use technology to overcome challenges and achieve your goals. Thanks to changes in the way we learn and work, there’s never been more opportunity for people of all abilities to get ahead.

Looking to start a career in law? Kickstart your law education and training online at the San Diego County Bar Association’s CLE Center.