If you’ve just experienced or been diagnosed with a life-changing disability, your first priority will probably be stabilizing your health and figuring out how to adapt your old life to your new circumstances.  One of the most daunting challenges those with a new disability often face is adapting their current job to their new disability.

When to Return to Work
After a traumatizing accident, it’s important to take as much time as you need before attempting to re-enter the workplace.  However, for many, returning quickly is an important part of the recovery process. “All people need time to recover and envision a life they consider valuable,” says Barbara Trader, executive director of TASH, an organization that advocates for the disabled.  “But the sooner they start preparing to return [to work], the better.  The longer a person stews about what’s next, the longer it takes to get back in a job,” she adds.

What to Expect When Returning
Depending on your disability, returning to work can be either a fairly easy or a difficult transition.  For example, it may be that you’ll be able to do all of the tasks you did previously with the help of some simple office modifications or assistive technology.

On the other hand, you may find that you’re no longer able to complete the essential tasks associated with your job.  If so, you may need to either be retrained in a different specialization, or find work in a different field.  In situations in which a new career path is necessary, you’ll want to focus on transferable skills, such as conducting research, writing effectively, or communicating well.  Employees recently diagnosed with a disability may also want to familiarize themselves with forms of computer-mediated communication (such as instant messaging, phone conferencing, and video conferencing) because telecommuting is often a solution to many of the transportation problems that come with having a physical disability.

What Legal Protections Are in Place to Help You
There are a number of legal protections in place to ensure workplace opportunities for people with disabilities. For example, employers are required to provide “reasonable accommodations” to those with disabilities.  Be prepared to provide your employer with the information on accommodations needed so you can work at your highest level of productivity.  (Also, keep in mind that employers do not have to accommodate “essential tasks,” meaning that if you were previously a taxi-driver and you’ve lost both arms, it’s most likely time to look for a different job.)

In addition, the Family Medical Leave Act provides workers who’ve recently sustained a new disability with up to 12 weeks off per year without loss of job or health insurance.  (This protection applies only to companies with 50 or more employees.)

Bottom line:  although a new disability has the potential to hamper an individual’s work capabilities, there are still various options available to those who have been recently diagnosed with a physical or mental impairment.  The most important things to remember are to stay positive and stay informed.