Disability employment is a major concern for more than 80 percent of people with disabilities, according to a Lou Harris poll. There are so many worries: can I physically do the job, will anyone want to hire me, am I going to lose my benefits?

Government Disability Resources
The government offers incentives for you to test how you do on the job without losing all of your benefits.

•    Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) of 1999. The Ticket to Work program lets you obtain employment and use vocational rehabilitation and other support services from both public and private providers while keeping your Social Security disability benefits.

Accessibility Concerns
People with disabilities have certain rights to accessibility and accommodation under the law. Many companies actively recruit people with disabilities, but can’t find qualified candidates to fill positions. (Check the Disaboom job resource center http://www.disaboomjobs.com/JobSearch.aspx  for opportunities near you.)

•    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This ground-breaking law requires that reasonable accommodation be made for people with disabilities, including in the workplace. Familiarize yourself with your rights so you can work with your employer if necessary to ensure you can get to and perform your job.

Physical Demands
It’s a good idea for people with disabilities to evaluate their workspace before they start a new job. Plan to arrive at mid-morning, or whatever time is busiest.

•    Do employees look stressed and harried, or are they at ease?
•    What is the noise level?
•    Are employees free to get coffee and move around, or are they tied to their work station?

It can be a shocker to have a 9 to 5 job after being able to set your own schedule. Are you ready and able to meet these new demands?

•    Do you need to work up to 40 hours a week gradually, and will your employer allow you to do this? Test yourself at home before taking on a full-time job, including setting the alarm and getting up like you would for work every day.
•    How long will your commute take? Practice at least twice, in both directions, before you start your job. You should arrive in plenty of time to be ready to start work 15 minutes before you’re due on the clock. Allow for unexpected traffic to avoid stress for yourself and your boss.
•    Will it be best to drive, take a bus, or carpool? Take a look at the pros and cons of each option, including cost, stress and dependability.

Discuss with your prospective employer exactly what kind of time commitment and physical demands will be placed on you. She may be able to work around your needs, but it’s best to have this discussion before you start work.

•    Will there be off-the-clock meetings before or after work?
•    Are you able to, say, move all your stuff to a new cubicle if the need arises?

Job Skills for People with Disabilities
If you’ve been out of the workforce for years, you may be surprised to find the extent to which computers have taken over white-collar jobs. Perhaps you’ve begun interviewing, and realized that you no longer have the skills that are required to get a position like the one you once held. Or maybe you’re aiming for a better or different type of job than the one you used to have, and finding that you need additional skills.

•    Community colleges have some excellent classes in Microsoft Office and other programs that are in general use. Often, they can be taken online.
•    If you can land a job, your employer may pay for you to take classes to get ahead in the company.
•    Don’t be afraid to go after a four-year degree. Studies show that earnings generally rise in relationship to your level of education. State colleges and universities have support systems for people with disabilities, and it may be possible to work – often through the university itself - while you attend school.

Disability Friendly Companies
It’s worth noting that some large companies have programs to welcome and retain people with disabilities http://www.disaboom.com/Living/employment/how-disability-friendly-is-the-company-where-you-re-applying.aspx into the workforce.

•    Does the company offer to pair you with a co-worker to answer questions and provide support?
•    Are there programs to educate all employees about how to treat people with disabilities in the workplace, both co-workers and customers?
•    Does the company have a specialist in human resources to locate disability resources for employees?

Jumpstart your disability employment search here.