Navigating a career in disability services is an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s an incredibly unique profession that requires an understanding of individual needs, strong communication skills, and a commitment to providing the best possible care. Working with disabled individuals can often be challenging, but it can also be extremely rewarding and life-changing.
Whether you want to become a disability support worker, special education teacher, or occupational therapist, there are a variety of career paths to choose from. Each of these professions offer different opportunities for making an impact in the lives of disabled individuals. In this blog post, we’ll explore various career options and the qualifications required for each role. We’ll also look at the benefits and rewards of working with the disabled community.
This post is intended to be a resource for anyone considering a career in disability services. If you’re passionate about helping those with disabilities and have the necessary skills to do so, a career working with the
What are disabilities?
A disability is a type of impairment that makes people perform daily tasks in a different way from other people. Some disabilities may be present at birth, while others may appear later in life or be acquired. Even so, those who have disabilities can learn to live with their conditions with the right care and assistance. The four main groups of disabilities used to classify the various ailments people can have are as follows:
Physical disabilities
Physical impairments can be caused by an accident or a pre-existing condition, and they can be either permanent or temporary. Physical limitations can make it difficult for a person to stand, walk, or carry out daily activities like driving, cooking, or writing. Some examples of physical disabilities include:
Learning disabilities
Learning disabilities are conditions that make it difficult for people to communicate, interpret social cues, and complete tasks like reading and writing. They may also have trouble interpreting and retaining information. A number of things, including genetics, living conditions, injuries, and other things, can result in learning disabilities. Some examples of learning disabilities include:
Mental disabilities
Mental disabilities are those that affect an individuals mind. Mental disabilities can further affect an individuals perception of reality. Some people have mental disabilities from birth as a result of genetic conditions However, traumatic experiences or unhealthful living conditions can also occasionally result in mental impairments. Here are a few examples of mental disabilities:
Sensory disabilities
Sensory disabilities are those that affect a persons senses. This includes sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. People with sensory impairments can either be born with them or develop them as a result of an injury later in life. Some examples include:
15 jobs that involve working with the disabled
Here are 15 examples of jobs that involve interacting with disabled people, along with descriptions of their duties, educational prerequisites, and expected salaries. Click on each salary link below to access Indeed’s most recent salary data:
Primary responsibilities: A home health aide assists with meal preparation, medication administration, errand running, and companionship for patients while working as part of a care team. Home health aides can assist clients who are physically or mentally challenged in completing tasks that they would otherwise be unable to do. You should enroll in a specialized training program to become a home health aide. No formal education is required.
The main responsibilities of a disability support worker are to improve the daily lives of disabled people. They maintain a patient’s home, prepare meals, run errands, transport patients to appointments, and serve as a source of direction and support for their patients. To be hired, disability support workers must possess a GED or high school diploma. To care for patients with disabilities, they might also need to complete specialized training.
A rehabilitation specialist’s main responsibilities include assisting patients with disabilities in adjusting to their new way of life. They might suggest doctors, assist in setting up job placements, and provide support for their circumstance. Individuals need a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field to work as rehabilitation specialists. Some states may also prefer additional education in the form of a doctorate degree.
Counselors may be employed by private practices, hospitals, schools, or support organizations. Counselors can focus on a variety of things, like mental health, disabilities, and learning difficulties. Their objective is to assist clients in coping with temporary or permanent disabilities in order to foster a positive outlook on the future. The majority of therapists hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees in social work, psychology, or counseling. Additionally, they ought to acquire state licensure where they intend to practice.
The main responsibilities of a learning disability nurse, also known as a special needs nurse, are to provide care and support for people with disabilities like cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, and Down syndrome. Learning disability nurses must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing and be NCLEX-certified.
A developmental disability case manager’s main responsibilities include supporting patients who have just become disabled. They assist them in submitting disability claims, selecting health care providers, scheduling appointments, and determining a reasonable timetable for recovery and returning to their prior place of employment. A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related field is required to work as a case manager for developmental disabilities.
A disability specialist’s main responsibilities are to identify the needs of disabled students and employees in order to support their success in a new educational or professional environment. They could assist with the construction of ramps, set up distraction-free learning environments, and identify other elements that might pose issues for their happiness in their new setting. In addition, they might assist in planning a path to and from a destination as well as appropriate transportation.
Disability specialists should have a bachelor’s degree in special education, psychology, social work, or counseling because their work may span a variety of fields, age groups, and situations.
A special education teacher’s main responsibilities are to use their enthusiasm for the subject to support the educational goals of students with disabilities. They might be in charge of creating lesson plans for one or more students who have various physical, mental, or sensory impairments. A bachelor’s degree in education with a specialization in special education should be obtained by special education teachers.
Primary responsibilities: Mental health case managers may be employed by medical or psychiatric facilities. Among their many duties is meeting with clients to learn about their conditions and set recovery objectives. They help clients obtain appointments with experienced mental health professionals. Typically, you need a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a closely related field to work as a mental health case manager. In some situations, having a psychology master’s degree may be preferred.
A speech-language pathologist’s main responsibilities include assisting children and adults in developing effective communication strategies. Meeting with clients to work on exercises for lisps and other conditions like swallowing disorders allows them to achieve this. Speech-language pathologists assist people who have hearing loss in speaking in a variety of ways. In addition to being licensed, speech-language pathologists should have a master’s degree in the field.
Principal responsibilities: Prosthetists collaborate with occupational and physical therapists to help injured patients recover. The patient must be seen by them, and they must fit them for braces or prosthetic limbs to improve their mobility. Before starting their careers as prosthetists, prosthetists must complete a year-long clinical residency and obtain a master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics.
Primary responsibilities: Occupational therapists provide care and support to patients who have been hurt or disabled as part of clinical settings such as hospitals. They are primarily responsible for determining a patient’s needs and developing a recovery or mobility plan. They meet with patients to guide them through exercises that will gradually increase their mobility and self-assurance. A master’s degree in occupational therapy is required to work as an occupational therapist. Some universities might provide a master’s and bachelor’s degree-level occupational therapy program.
Primary responsibilities: A physical therapist assists patients with performing healthy exercises as part of a hospital or clinic. Physical therapists typically treat people who have chronic illnesses or pain, but they may also treat people with disabilities. Their responsibility is to instruct patients on stretching and exercise techniques to reduce pain and lengthen the life of a healthy body. To practice, physical therapists must hold a doctorate in the field and be licensed.
Primary responsibilities: Psychologists are medical professionals with a wide range of settings and specialties. Psychologists frequently assist patients with mental health issues with the diagnosis and provision of treatment. These may range from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder to OCD, anxiety, or depression. A state-required exam, several practice hours, and a doctorate in psychology are all requirements for becoming a psychologist.
Psychiatrists’ primary responsibilities include working for hospitals, mental health facilities, and private practices. They are in charge of meeting with patients who have intellectual disabilities, mental health issues, and other conditions. They examine the patient and might give them medicine to get them through their situation. Additionally, they might suggest specific routines or behaviors to help a patient improve their standard of living. A doctorate in psychiatry is required of psychiatrists before a few years of residency and state licensure are required of them.
Employment: Finding a job when you have a Disability
FAQ
What careers work with people with disabilities?
- Social Worker. A social worker assists a person or group of people in overcoming a problem or difficult situation.
- Mental Health Social Worker. …
- Healthcare Coordinator. …
- Therapist. …
- Nurse Consultant – RN. …
- Employment Specialist. …
- Home Health Aide.
What is the job called when you work with disabled kids?
Occupational Therapist Occupational therapists work with children who are autistic in rehabilitation facilities, schools, universities, community programs, or governmental organizations. They must first evaluate a child’s capabilities before figuring out how to help them deal with social and familial situations.
Why do I want to work with individuals with disabilities?
#1: A Rewarding Career By working with individuals who are intellectually disabled, you are helping someone with special needs to conquer the daily challenges life can throw their way. You can congratulate them on their accomplishments and support them during challenging times.
