Young adults with disabilities, when planning to enter the workforce, may worry about finding a place where their skills and abilities will be valued. Those who experience limited mobility may find certain doors closed to them simply due to physical access and transportation. Those who have hearing or communication difficulties may find it a challenge to even approach the hiring process. So it should be encouraging to learn that many young adults with disabilities are thriving in a surprising sector: business. In fact, many young adults with disabilities opt to bypass the job-hunt altogether and create their own companies.

If you’re considering whether to dip your toes into the waters of business, Microtia UK offers the following insight to help you move forward and find the success you desire.

Employment challenges for persons with disabilities

Many young adults with disabilities must contend with bias in the workplace. Even after they are hired, they often face prejudices, including the dismissal of their accomplishments and the assumption that they were hired simply to check off a diversity box. Many employers are unwilling to put in the time and money to make their workplace physical disability-friendly. Others worry that workers with a disability will be less productive or ask for more time off. In the face of this, the successes won by young adults with disabilities are even more impressive.

How young adults with disabilities are succeeding in business

These individuals are more than just a fringe demographic in the business world. Persons with a disability are more likely to be business owners as those who do not have disabilities. So in spite of the increased challenges they live with, young adults with disabilities are establishing their presence in the economic scene. From starting restaurants to launching design companies, these hard-working and visionary young adults are pursuing their dreams and making a difference. This includes raising awareness of the value of persons with disabilities and creating non-profits to support their efforts.

Business fields to consider

Starting a business is only one path to entrepreneurship. There are many other lucrative career options in business for young adults with disabilities to consider. Some of these jobs can be done remotely, so challenges related to the workplace are less burdensome. Yes, these jobs do typically require a college degree, but with the increase in online degrees and emphasis on diversity in the university, young adults with disabilities can pursue higher education in a variety of fields, often at home and with minimal expense. Some of the higher-earning business degrees to consider include business management, human resource management, and ecommerce management.

The value of internship

In a market where experience is expected even from young entrepreneurs, it can be hard for young adults with disabilities, at the start of their career, to compete. Getting an internship position is one way to gain valuable experience that will look great on a resume. Internships will also allow you to network with influential business leaders and even find a mentor in your field. Having a mentor who also has experienced disability can be a wonderful opportunity for you to grow and learn. You can find internship opportunities via job boards and job fairs, but also by contacting companies you’d love to work with.

Tips for job-hunting

You’ve gotten your training, you’ve completed your internship, and it’s time to try to land a job. This can be an exciting and also a stressful time for anyone, especially if you’re entering the job market with a disability. It’s important not to sell yourself short. Don’t be afraid to really highlight your talents and experience. And you shouldn’t feel you need to hide your disability. In fact, disclosing it can sometimes be an asset, since doing so both demonstrates your authenticity and showcases your achievements.

When creating your CV, look for ways to stand out from the pack. In addition to providing clear and helpful examples of your skills and experience, focus on writing powerful descriptions and an eye-catching profile.

Knowing where to look for a job can feel like falling down a rabbithole. While it’s ideal to find a job through your network, searching job boards or working with a staffing agency can help you more quickly zero in on a specific opportunity. Persistence is key, but remember to be patient too.

Even though young adults with disabilities still face workplace discrimination and obstacles to success, there are many individuals and organizations in their community who will value them and support their efforts.

Written by Lisa Walker of jobdreamteam.com

Image via Pixabay

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The highest bidder will be announced on Friday, 17th September. The donation must be made by the winner before we can post out the items.

Good luck!

We are really pleased to announce that we have received funding from

The funding will be used to create a new information guide for children starting in education. It’ll be a valuable resource for families who struggle to find the time to speak to teachers when their child starts at a new setting and it will also give parents more confidence to liaise with others by using the booklet as a conversation starter.

We look forward to putting it together and sharing it with you in the coming months.

Maia Thornton shares findings (see below) from an online survey conducted with parents of children with appearance-affecting conditions, like microtia. She is now developing new support materials for parents/carers and we can’t wait to see them.

Exploring the experience of parents and carers of children with appearance affecting conditions or injuries

Online survey results summary

We greatly appreciate the time taken by all the participants to share their experiences. In total, 233 parents and carers completed the online survey. The questions within the survey were informed by parents and health professionals during previous in-depth interviews and focus groups.

The results found that there may be challenging experiences that make a parent more likely to experience difficult emotions, such as stress and anxiety. This might include things like their child experiencing social challenges, like teasing. Parents might also be worried about communicating with their child about their condition and this can also cause them to feel worried or stressed.

It was also found that certain things might prevent parents from feeling these kinds of difficult emotions. This might include feeling knowledgeable about their child’s condition and feeling confident in their ability to support their child.

What’s next?

These results have given us a better understanding parents and carers’ experiences of parenting children with appearance affecting conditions and injuries.

Using what we have learnt, the research team will now begin to design and develop new support materials for parents and carers. This will be done alongside a group of parent advisors to gain their advice and guidance on what kind of support would be beneficial.

Thank you again to everyone who took part in this study. This work could not be done without you and we are very grateful for your input.

Maia Thornton

Contact: maia.thornton@uwe.ac.uk

This research was funded by the University of the West of England and supported by the Vocational Training Charitable Trust Foundation.