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Article Contributed by Patrick Young

The Maryland Assistive Technology Program does not endorse any products or services mentioned in this article.

Why People With Disabilities Should Consider Using Technology in Their Careers

Approximately 1 billion people worldwide have hearing, cognitive, speech, visual, or mobility disabilities. Despite anti-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, people with disabilities face various challenges when seeking employment or progressing in their careers. That’s because most working environments and policies aren’t designed with them in mind. Fortunately, technology can rewrite all these challenges and make working environments conducive for people living with physical or mental disabilities.

Technology is vital for people living with disabilities looking to get into the career world or advance in their respective career fields. Today, several assistive technologies, such as ergonomic devices and mouth keyboards, are affordable and readily available. Here are some ways people with disabilities can use technology in their careers. 

Remote Working or Learning

Traveling is a significant impediment if you’re a person with disabilities because you may require special equipment, facilities, parking, or communication tools. Some of these requirements may result in difficulties securing employment since the accommodations you need may not be readily available. Fortunately, with technology, you can work or study comfortably and create a tailored workspace suitable for all your needs. Remote working and learning effectively enable people to judge you based on your work quality instead of unconscious bias. 

Networking

Networking is vital when looking for a job. However, it may not be easy if you’re a person with disabilities since networking may require traveling or casual interactions, which may be difficult or impossible for you. 

You can take advantage of platforms such as LinkedIn, which are instrumental in connecting people with potential employers. Such platforms enable you to network more easily with little or no exposure of your disability. Ensure your profile is well updated by having a clear profile photo and explaining your expertise. You can also opt for the premium LinkedIn version, which allows you to message people directly and see people visiting your profile. 

Digital Entrepreneurship

New possibilities for digital entrepreneurship continue to arise as technology advances. If you’re into digital enterprises, you have the opportunity to meet and interact with clients online, selling your goods and services across borders. For instance, you can use mobile applications for financial transactions or supplier diversity programs to access markets. 

Job Hunt

The internet can be a resource when looking for a job because multiple remote work options are available nowadays. According to research, approximately half of Americans will work remotely by 2027. When applying for remote jobs, ensure you stand out by clearly stating your expertise on your resume. 

As time goes by, you continue to gain new skills and work experiences, and you must ensure your resume is updated with your latest achievements and skills. If your resume is in PDF format, you can use a PDF editor to upload your document online, make the changes, and download and share it with potential employers. 

Bottom Line

Despite the career world being tough for people with disabilities, technology is making it easy for them to find befitting jobs. With technology, you can network and work online from the comfort of your home. If you’re a person with disabilities, visit NATADS, an assistive technology portal that allows you to borrow, buy, or sell assistive devices that you can use in your job hunt or to advance your career.

Image via pexels.com

Live Now!

Two courses on digital accessibility are now live!  These courses, provided through the AT3 Center, are FREE for you to take. The first course focuses on Accessible Webpage Design & Content.  The second is Web Accessibility Testing: Basic Course.  Additional courses are also in the works.  Learn more below about the courses, how to register and earning credentials. 

Accessible Webpage Design & Content Course

Learn the fundamentals of designing accessible web content. This course is designed for those new to accessible digital design but contains information for novices and veterans alike. This course could take from two to four hours to complete, though it can be started and stopped at any time.

Upon completion, learners will have a practical, fundamental understanding of the following:

• Webpage Structure, including titles, language, heading structure, and keyboard navigation;
• Images, including text alternatives, complex images, images of text, and decorative images;
• Color, including contrast and “color alone”;
• Text, including hyperlinks, readability, plain language, and lists; and
• Accessible Data Tables.

Web Accessibility Testing: Basic Course

Begin to put your new knowledge into practice by learning about the web accessibility testing and reporting process and performing basic testing in a controlled environment. This self-paced course requires successful completion of Accessible Webpage Design & Content Authoring and should take one to two hours to complete.

Upon completion, learners will have practical knowledge of the web accessibility testing process including:

• Defining checklists;
• Establishing an accessibility testing toolbox;
• Choosing samples;
• Performing testing;
• Logging results; and
• Preparing and reporting your findings.

Enroll in a Course

View this video tutorial on enrolling or follow the instructions below:

1. To register for a course, please go the AT3 Center Canvas Catalog (at3a11y.catalog.instructure.com)
2. Click on the course you’d like to enroll in
3. Click Enroll
4. Enter your account information
5. Click Register New Account
6. Click Enroll
7. Find the email titled “Welcome to the Catalog” (make sure to check your Junk/Spam folder)
8. Click the Confirm Registration button
9. Create a Canvas password and click Submit
10. Once you’ve done this, click Catalog Login underneath “Public Login”
11. Now, you’re ready to go! Click on Go to Course and begin your learning.

NOTE: You may see some language about Oklahoma State Outreach or Oklahoma State University logos. We’ve partnered with Oklahoma ABLE Tech at Oklahoma State University, and the courses are housed in their Canvas system. We promise you’re in the right place!

Sign up with Credly

When you take these courses and complete the assessments, you’ll earn micro-credentials from Credly that you can share on your LinkedIn profile or resume. To take advantage of these credentials, it’s best to create a Credly account on an email address you will have permanent access to, such as a personal email address. If you don’t already have a Credly account, go to Credly Sign Up (Links to an external site.) and enter your email address and a password.

You’ll receive a micro-credential email after the successful completion of each course. Please note: It may take up to 24 hours for Credly to issue your badge after you’ve completed a course.

Questions or Issues?

If you have any issues with the courses, please email abt.courses@okstate.edu for assistance.

Happy learning!

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
2022 National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD)
Share how access to health care and the COVID-19 pandemic have affected your life.

The University of Kansas Institute for Health & Disability Policy Studies (KU-IHDPS) is looking for adults with disabilities to complete the National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD). The NSHD is an annual, online survey about your health, quality of life, access to health care services, and the COVID-19 pandemic, as a person with a disability or health condition.

 Adults aged 18-64 with any type of disability, chronic illness/disease, mental or physical health condition are
encouraged to complete the survey
 The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete
 Responses are anonymous

Survey opens May 2, 2022
Take Survey Here: https://rockcha.lk/2022NSHD

Whether or not you complete the survey, you can choose to enter a drawing to win one of ten $100 gift cards. If you prefer to take the survey over the phone or have any questions about participating, please call toll-free 1-855-556-6328 (Voice/TTY) or email healthsurvey@ku.edu.

This is the 4th time this survey has been done. It was first done in 2018 and each year since. We welcome
participation from those who completed it before and those who have never done it before. Thank you!