by Jan Wright

Created on: June 20, 2009

Let's face it, unemployment is rising and the disabled never have had a great employment record to start with. In a report issued in the December 2008 Current Population Reports the U.S. Census Bureau reported that of the 291.1 million people in the 2005 population

of the United States, 54.4 million, or 18.7 percent, reported some level of disability and 35 million (12.0 percent of all people) reported a severe disability. According to the Census bureau disability statistics, approximately 71% of the disabled are not employed. There are many reasons for this high percentage of unemployment. While it is true that some people are not able or physically well enough to handle employment, most people with disabilities are actively seeking some sort of employment. Here are some tips for the jobless person who is also disabled.

Psych yourself up. It is mentally frustrating to go through the process of interviewing for many positions and knowing that you were rejected because of your disability. Of course, most businesses won't tell you this. But, you know it from other details. When a company says: Actually, we have already hired someone. Then, two weeks later you find a wanted add for the same job, you know that the company was not being honest. You have to forget all of these things when applying and interviewing. Analyze the situation when you get home. Try to present yourself as confident and ready for work.

Practice how you will handle questions about your disability. Ignoring your disability does not make it go away; it just qualifies as the silent elephant in the room. Your potential employer might have many questions about your disability, but are afraid to ask. Don't make your disability the first thing that you talk about. Your abilities and qualities as an employee should be the first item on the agenda. However, you will have to address it sometime and it is better to be ready and confident. There may need to be some accommodations made. You are the expert about your own disability. Be honest and clear about the accommodations that you will need. Let the employer know that you have already considered which accommodations that you would need. Be resourceful when considering which accommodations that you will need and confident when suggesting them.

Check your resume. Make sure that your resume highlights your abilities and does not try to elicit a sense of pity. Employers want to know that you are confident and able to do the job.

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