Disability Policy Worker

Learn about the Disability Policy Worker Career...

“The Congress finds that physical or mental disabilities in no way diminish a person’s right to fully participate in all aspects of society, yet many people with physical or mental disabilities have been precluded from doing so because of discrimination … the Nation's proper goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for such individuals…”
~The American Disabilities Act of 1990

As noted in the American Disabilities Act of 1990, people with Disabilities have a right to equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. However, people with disabilities have not always been awarded these rights.  And to this day, disabled people continue to face discrimination simply because of their disability. 

Disability Policy Workers, whether directors or assistants, advocate on behalf of the rights of disabled individuals.  Through policy writing and legislation, Policy Workers ensure that the rights of the disabled are recognized, and help them overcome obstacles that block their access to human and civil rights.

Disability Policy Workers may work for the government, public interest groups, or even disability service providers.  Depending on the employer, policy workers focus their work on the federal, state, or community level.  In addition, some Policy Workers promote the rights of disabled people in workplace environments, such as in grocery stores, hospitals, or manufacturing plants. 

Policy Workers participating at the Federal or State Level, often work for non-profit organizations, like the American Civil Liberties Union or the Disability Rights Advocates.  These, and similar, organizations use legal action to defend the rights of people with disabilities.  For example, they may write and attempt to pass laws which increase wheel-chair access in all U.S. government buildings.  They may file a lawsuit against a company that discriminates against disabled people.  Through this work, these groups catalyze top-down, over-arching changes that protect the rights of disabled people throughout all sectors of society. 

Community level policy workers focus on protecting and advancing the rights of disabled individuals on a local level.  For instance, they may encourage local politicians to pass laws that improve the wellbeing and treatment of disabled people, such as a law mandating the creation of specialized education programs for children with disabilities, or a law improving a city’s disability medical treatment services.  

In the workplace, a Disability Policy Worker may develop and distribute updates on a business’ policies on employing and working with individuals with disabilities, as well as support individuals with disabilities who are not being treated properly in the workplace. 

Policy Workers enjoy affecting change on a large-scale level. However, they understand that this kind of social change may take years to achieve. As a result, they are patient, persevering individuals, who can manage the long-term demands necessary to make comprehensive change. Most Policy Workers have college degrees, or even Masters Degrees in Public Policy or Social Work. 

If you think you may be interested in inspiring change at a federal or workplace level, or somewhere in between, a career as a Disability Policy Worker may be for you.

Request information from schools offering Psychology and Counseling degree programs.