According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than a billion people worldwide are disabled, and their disability can limit their ability to access higher education, jobs that pay well, and other basic amenities.
But disabled people can overcome these obstacles by searching for jobs created with their requirements in mind.
A “sit-down job” is designed for those with disabilities that make it necessary to remain seated or in a sedentary position during their day at work.
The article will review some of the best jobs available to people with disabilities and offer advice on excelling in these roles.
Is it Hard to Find Jobs for the Disabled?
Studies have shown that people with disabilities have just as much to offer society as those without limitations.
Despite the higher unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities, many disabled veterans and employees still face obstacles.
People with disabilities may place a high value on careers and other jobs that allow them some degree of independence while providing them with a supportive work environment and room for professional advancement.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that disabled employers have more difficulty obtaining work due to various factors.
- Almost 10% of respondents cited a lack of accommodations on job sites.
- Over 10% of the participants cited the lack of transportation.
- 79% cited their disability as a significant impediment to obtaining the desired employment.
The unemployment rate for disabled individuals decreased from 10.8 percent in 2021 to 8.2 percent in 2022. But still, there is a lot of room for improvement
Benefits of Sit-Down Jobs For Disabled
There is always a bright picture, so that sit-down jobs may help disabled people in many ways,
Accommodations
Individuals with health conditions or impairments that make standing or walking difficult or impossible may benefit from sitting-down jobs, which allow them to control their condition better and avoid aggravating physical restrictions.
Equal Employment Opportunities
Sit-down jobs can provide people with disabilities the same chance and support employees’ efforts to hire people who want to work and contribute to society.
Disability-friendly workplaces allow people with impairments to participate in employment who otherwise may not have done so.
The flexibility of working
Sit down jobs can benefit people with disabilities by providing flexible schedules and the option to work from home, as well as convenience and alternative work schedules.
Reduced Physical Strain.
Those with mobility problems or chronic pain may benefit from sedentary work environments.
Although prolonged sitting presents health hazards, it may be preferable to standing or walking for people with disabilities.
Research also proposed that job accommodations, such as sit-down desks, improved job satisfaction and reduced stress for disabled workers.
Career Advancements.
Sit-down jobs can give people with disabilities a chance to build their careers and develop their chosen career paths.
Research reviewed in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management indicates that reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities enhance workplace satisfaction, retention, and productivity.
Easy Job Search.
Remote positions or working from your own home have become increasingly popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing people with physical limitations to access many employment and career opportunities.
People can now work remotely with ease.
Suitable For Sensory Impairments.
Because they often involve less connection with clients or the public, sitting jobs may be more suitable for those with sensory impairments.
Writing, graphic design, and programming are all examples of sit-down jobs that allow considerable freedom and creativity.
It makes it simpler for those with speech impediments, hearing or language challenges to do their jobs.
Better Lifestyle
Sit-down jobs, in general, give people with disabilities a chance to work in a meaningful profession and reach financial independence, mental stability, and a better lifestyle.
Many other improvements can be made to the lifestyle of the disabled. Check out his article for a good read.
Fortunately, many interesting jobs are accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities.
Job opportunities for Physically Disabled Persons
Physically challenged people have various options for finding a well-paying job, from entry-level to highly professional jobs.
Accounting Jobs
A job in accounting and finance offers competitive salaries and career paths for an account manager, finance manager, or compliance officer with advancing experience.
By compiling, analyzing, and balancing financial data, an accountant enables a company to make important financial choices.
An accounting job is suitable for hiring those with physical disabilities because it requires sitting at a workstation most of the day. Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in this field to become accountants.
Paul has cerebral palsy, which affects his mobility. He has used a walking stick and now a wheelchair for the past few years, but it does not affect his ability to do his job, which involves accounting skills and communication with non-financial people.
Administrative Works.
Many administrative positions do not require standing or walking and are thus suitable for those with mobility issues.
You may choose from various industries, businesses, and organizations since administrative work is needed everywhere.
Types can vary as,
Administrative Assistant
An administrative assistant’s duties include answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, and managing files, which require organizational and communication skills and can be performed while seated.
Data entry Specialist
A data entry specialist is responsible for accurately and efficiently entering data into computer systems, which requires attention to detail and the ability to compose quickly and accurately.
Virtual Assistants
Virtual assistants provide administrative help to customers remotely, often from home. A VA job needs multitasking, organizational, and communication abilities.
Facebook, Amazon, and many other companies hire disabled people for VA jobs.
Customer Representatives
Working at a call center offers excellent flexibility and does not require prior experience, job search skills, or education.
The main work involves helping consumers with product or service questions or concerns by phone, chat, or email.
A high percentage of individuals with disabilities hold data entry positions, and there may be opportunities for growth.
Writing jobs
Freelance writing, copywriting, grant writing, technical writing, and blogging are great career options for individuals with physical disabilities.
These jobs offer great opportunities for those with physical disabilities to work from home and set their schedules, and the pay rate is also perfect.
Disabiltywriters.com is a website that hires people who prefer writing.
Marketing Positions
Because most marketing jobs now entail using computers rather than moving around, they might suit those with mobility issues.
The following marketing roles might be especially suitable for people with disabilities.
- Social media marketing “Social media managers” develop and manage a company’s or organization’s social media content. It’s suitable for disabled people because much of the work can be done at home on a computer.
- Content Marketing. Content marketers create brand-specific written and visual content. Articles, infographics, videos, and social media postings are examples. Such job can be done on a computer anywhere.
Other kinds include email marketers, coordinators, and social media managers.
Employment Opportunities for Visually Impaired People
Although people with limited vision may face extra challenges when looking for work, they can still do jobs.
Companies nowadays typically call for more than good eyesight, including skills like reasoning, brainpower, and interpersonal management.
Furthermore, there are tools to aid the visually impaired in using the technology fundamental to most of today’s mainstream professions.
They can find jobs in many sectors, including healthcare, education, and tech support.
Music Production
Music production is an excellent field of work for those with vision impairments.
If you have a good ear for music, working in complete darkness might help you focus on the task, such as recording or mixing.
Stevie Wonder is a legendary musician and producer born blind who has produced numerous hit songs and albums and won 25 Grammy Awards.
Teaching Disabled Students
Blind or visually impaired people can help other students with impairments by working as disability service coordinators or teachers.
They can enrich the learning experience of others by sharing their unique perspective on the world.
There is a dedicated organization for blind educators known as the American Association of Blind Teachers (AABT) that posts job openings and offers professional development opportunities.
Technology
Are you interested in assisting companies in making their websites accessible to all users?
Those who lack vision can work on making, designing, or testing these technologies, which makes the world more accessible for everyone to get around in.
Accessibility auditing, UI/UX design, and backend web development are all other areas where you might focus your efforts as a sit-down job.
Customer Care Support
Answering phones and chatting with consumers online are standard methods of communication for customer care agents.
Customer care might be a fantastic career choice if you are personable and proficient with technology.
Various customer service tasks can be performed over the phone, whether in an office or working virtually from home.
Healthcare Jobs
Several different types of opportunities in the healthcare industry may be accessible to those with vision impairments.
Occupational Therapist
Have occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants ever helped you on your way to becoming independent?
Would you like to help other people with disabilities or long-term illnesses become more independent so they can also live full lives?
Your experiences with problems that make it hard to live independently can teach you a lot about what your clients are going through.
You’ll need a master’s degree, and all states need you to be licensed.
Dr. Karen Wolffe is an example of a blind occupational therapist who lost her vision due to retinitis pigmentosa but became a respected expert in the field.
Speech-language Pathologist
Why not use some of the knowledge you’ve gained in overcoming challenges to help those having trouble communicating?
Other abilities and attributes are essential for success in speech and language pathology beyond the ability to see.
And a person who is blind may have a more acute hearing sense and be able to pick up on differences in tone and intonation that the sighted may miss.
With a growing elderly population and an increase in the prevalence of speech impairments owing to conditions like stroke and dementia, this field has a promising job outlook until 2030.
Software Developer
It may not be mainstream, but visually impaired computer professionals may now create code and do the other tasks required to create applications and computer programs thanks to screen-reading software and other adaptive technology.
A study of computer coders worldwide found that 1% are blind.
Sit Down job for the Hearing Impaired
People with trouble hearing often rely on their other senses, just like the visually handicapped do.
While it’s true that some professions aren’t a good fit for people with hearing loss, many others welcome skilled employees despite their disabilities.
Sign Language Interpreters
Understanding American Sign Language (ASL) and becoming proficient in it can open doors to many rewarding careers in areas as diverse as healthcare, social work, and education.
In most settings, such as a school, courtroom, or business conference, a sign language interpreter will sit in one place and translate spoken words into sign language for those who require it.
After completing an approved training program, sign language interpreters must obtain certification from a body like the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
Writing
If you have a way with words, you may use it to your advantage in many fields, including copywriting, blogging, speechwriting, technical writing, and many more.
Freelance writers often prefer email over phone calls when communicating with customers.
You could benefit from journalism or creative writing classes, depending on your career goals.
Virtual Assistants
Virtual assisting can be an ideal career path for those with hearing loss since it allows them to work from home and interact with customers from various businesses.
Virtual assistants need a background in administration, communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects. They may also need technical expertise, such as familiarity with software or social networking sites.
Success Stories
It’s likely that names like Andrea Bocelli and Stevie Wonder, two renowned musicians who are both blind, are already familiar to you.
You may also be aware that Christine Ha, a blind chef, won the third season of the televised cooking competition Master Chef.
Similar is the case of Jessica Cox, who was born without arms, yet she has become a pilot, a speaker, and an activist on behalf of those who are differently abled.
She has flown aircraft with her feet and given motivational speeches worldwide about the value of accepting one’s uniqueness and pursuing one’s dreams.
Another example is Neil Harbisson, a colorblind British musician and visual artist.
He has an antenna implanted in his head that enables him to perceive colors, and he uses this technology to create art and music.
The above video shows Collette Divitto, a girl with Down syndrome, having her own cookie business with tremendous success. She has a nonprofit to help individuals with disabilities launch careers.
A small video of Barbara Jarsinski and Sharman Sribalan working in different jobs despite their impairments
These are just a handful of people with disabilities working and succeeding in jobs.
A small video of Barbara Jarsinski and Sharman Sribalan working in different jobs despite their impairments
Their achievements should be examples to others, showing that being disabled is no obstacle to success.
Where to Get Help with Disability Jobs
Many individuals falsely view disabilities as limitations.
But an increasing number of individuals view them as great opportunities too.
The best jobs are usually posted on sites like abilityjobs.com, mobilityhive.com, careeronestop.org, and disability.gov, to name a few.
If you want to work remotely, check out the National Telecommuting Institute (NTI), which connects individuals with disabilities to work-from-home customer service positions.
Also, the Social Security Administration (SSA) runs a program called “Ticket to Work” to help people with disabilities find and keep jobs, reducing the need for government disability assistance.
Steve Bertrand, who has cerebral palsy, shares his tips and tricks to land a job. He also shared a few job suggestions, such as chat representative and sales jobs.
What about Disability Benefits?
Before looking into those career options, one final item we need to consider is disability benefits.
Some disabled people hesitate to return to work for fear of losing access to critical Social Security Disability Insurance funds.
However, there is good news: even if you already receive disability benefits, the law still allows you to participate in meaningful employment while still getting your full benefits.
Social Security offers work incentive programs and reasonable accommodations to help people transition back to meaningful employment.
Benefits will end if you complete the program and find full-time work but will be reinstated if your condition deteriorates and you can no longer work.
Conclusion
A disability should not prevent anyone from pursuing their professional goals.
The plus side is that many accessible job opportunities involve sitting rather than standing. Jobs in administration, teaching, business, technology, and healthcare are a few examples.
However, it’s important to help people with disabilities determine what jobs suit them most.
There are enough job openings in the job market for everybody, whether just starting or looking for work.
The future is also brightening as more businesses see the value of employing people with disabilities.
People with disabilities have much to contribute to society in all fields, including the arts, sciences, politics, and innovation.
It is essential to remember that a person’s disability does not define their abilities, and everyone should be allowed to pursue their career objectives.
Don’t let your disability hinder you from working and contributing meaningfully to your job!
