Disability Employment Specialist

Learn about the Disability Employment Specialist career...

A 2006 United States survey found that only 35 percent of working-age persons with disabilities are employed1.  However, this is not due to a lack of will on the part of individuals with disabilities. There are many challenges confronting individuals with disabilities when seeking to gain employment. Disability Employment Specialists help people with disabilities overcome obstacles that stand in their way of attaining gainful employment and professional development.

People with disabilities face many challenges when searching for employment.  For example, some companies are reluctant to hire a person with a disability due to preconceived notions of the individual’s ability or inability to complete job duties.  In addition when hired, people with disabilities are sometimes assigned to positions for which they are over qualified. Often times, employers do not believe that a person with disabilities can manage the responsibilities of a more demanding role.  These and other obstacles prevent willing and qualified candidates from contributing to the workplace, developing their professional skills, and leading fulfilling lives.  Disability Employment Specialists help these individuals confront social stigmas encountered during job searches, and help to find employment suitable to their skills and professional development.

To best assist job seekers, Disability Employment Specialists help assess skills and career goals of job applicants.  Once an assessment is complete, Employment Specialists may suggest that the applicant enroll in a vocational skills program, or if such a program is not needed, begin assistance with a job search.  When assisting with a job search, Employment Specialists identify job opportunities for the individual and help he/her contact employers.  Employment Specialists also provide interview preparation. In addition, Disability Employment Specialists can be found advocating in various arenas on behalf of their clients.

Successful Disability Employment Specialists are dynamic professionals who can comfortably work with people with disabilities, minority populations, and under-served groups.  In addition, previous experience working with, and advocating for, people with disabilities is helpful.

Employers of Disability Employment Specialists usually require a Bachelors degree in psychology, counseling, social work, education or other related fields. If you think that you may enjoy helping people with disabilities find employment, a career as a Disability Employment Specialist may be for you.

Request information from schools offering Counseling or Psychology degree programs.

Resources:
1National Organization on Disability