Disabled and Struggling to Find Work
Updated: Jun 24, 2021
By Jessica Rousch
Being disabled and finding work can be hard. There are several things you need to think about when being disabled and trying to find a job. One thing is if you can get to the location if you do not drive. You also need to think about the hours you’ll be working and if they will work for you based on your transportation.
For me being in a wheelchair and having to use public transportation is hard. The bus I use does not run on weekends nor does it run after 7pm. This makes it hard for finding jobs, especially in my area because most jobs require at least one weekend day for work. A lot of jobs also need you to work later than 7:00 PM. As much as this bothers me, I make things work for me.
There are other ways to find jobs that will work for you. For example, I have found working from home works best for me. This is because I can work when I want when I want. I don’t have to worry about trying to find transportation to and from work because I work from home. Sometimes it’s the little things in life that can help you find a job.
Talking to friends and family can be a great deal of help. This way If you are struggling to find a job with transportation needs that you use you can ask family and friends to help. Offer to pay for gas or buy lunch or dinner for those driving you around if it’s not public transportation. Being able to work is essential in our lives so we can pay our bills.
The typical community just doesn’t see it as a problem like we may see it as. They may not understand that we struggle with finding jobs. We need to make them aware of the ways we need things so that we can also have a normal life and work outside of the home as well. Most of everyone I know has known I’ve always struggled with transportation and so they try to help when they can.
You see people think that just because we’re disabled means, we aren’t capable of doing certain tasks. This includes working for example. They think that we are vegetables not able to think or talk for ourselves a lot of times. It’s hard being disabled when you have a community that is made for those who can walk most of the time instead of those who also use a wheelchair like myself.
Jessica is 31-year-old disabled adult who has struggled with finding jobs in the community due to being in a wheelchair. She loves fishing, camping, swimming, hanging out with friends and family, and spending as much time as she can with her church family.