Tips for Job Hunting with a Disability in Australia

For a man who says he can't move anything but his face,Jon Morrow attests to this fact: 'I have an amazing life.' Morrow is a man whose hands feet, arms, and legs are almost completely paralyzed — save for the 'occasional twitch'. As it turns out, there's a lot you can do with a couple of inadvertent twitches and a face that moves. Like, write hundreds of articles read by more than 5 million loyal fans. Like build several — that's right, multiple — online magazines and blogs. Like, teach thousands of other would-be bloggers. Like, build a business that scaled well into the seven-figures. Oh, and he's well-traveled — to Mexico, San Diego, Miami, Austin, to name a few. Morrow's story is not meant to be inspirational — rather, it's meant to be a sobering wake-up call as to the reality that those with disabilities can have. rnOne that is completely in their own hands. 'There was no way to win the game,' says Morrow. 'So, I changed the rules.' Are you ready to change the rules so that your career reality resembles that of Morrow's?

1) Get Professional Help

Most companies offering Disability Employment Services focus on 2 main services 1) Disability Management Service is for job seekers with disability, injury or health condition who need assistance to find a job and 2) Occasional support in the workplace to keep a job. Do your research and find the best option for your needs.

2) You're in the Driver's Seat. Embrace It

The numbers for those with disabilities living in Australia paint a compelling picture. According to the Australian Human Rights Commission, •Almost 20% of Australians have a disability (3.96 million people). This proportion is increasing, particularly as the population ages. •Of those people with a disability, 86% experience limitations in core activities or restrictions in schooling or employmentrn•Fewer people with disabilities participate in the workforce (53.2% of people) than those without disabilities (80.6% of people). While it may be tempting to look at these numbers and conclude the fairly obvious idea — those with disabilities are less likely to be hired — there's a better conclusion to be drawn. rnWhen it comes to employment, those with disabilities who feel they are able to hold a job can actually find work, as long as they're smart and strategic about how they look for and land these jobs. Otherwise, the number of people who participate in the workforce with disabilities would be much lower. And when you take a look at the distribution of those employed, this conclusion starts to make more sense: Now, do you see an industry where you could be employed in, given your skills? These are the statistics for those with a disability who are employed across particular industries. rnTake a look at the table above: You'll see that we've highlighted not only the professions but the industries where the percentages of those employed with a disability are very close to those who are employed without a disability. Is there any reason why you cannot be a part of these percentages? There are individuals employed with disabilities in industries as diverse as 'health and community services', 'education', 'government and defence' and 'mining and manufacturing'. The first thing you have to embrace is that, no matter where you are and what your personal circumstance is, like Morrow, you're in the driver's seat. For example, if you're in a wheelchair, take that as a metaphor for the control you truly have in your life. Your hunt for a job begins with a not-taking-no-for-an-answer type of mindset and attitude. You'll hear every 'No' as a 'not right now' and this will help you get organised and strategic about who to follow up with and when.

3) Consider Telework

The term 'disabilities' covers a wide range of 'abilities' and personal, physical and mental circumstances. This catch-all term can often obscure the abilities of those who dowant to or feel they can work as part of the labour force(as we've seen). Likewise, the job hunt cannot be a one-size-fits-all search either. An individual with disabilities must understand what they can and can't be willing to do. You'll also want to take stock of your priorities and your day-to-day routine. For example, if you're an individual who works with speech therapists or even occupational therapists through the day, it might be easier for you to get to work on your own time. In this case, you can consider 'telework' or work that is remote, which doesn't require you to be physically present, as long as you meet deadlines and can communicate over email. This is the route Jon Morrow began with when he first started working for free for the online blog 'Copyblogger'. However, he was strategic and eventually parlayed that into working one-on-one with a score of clients in 24 hours. Almost overnight. rnBut you don't need to work for free just to get started. You can be paid right away. It's called the 'gig economy' and it's being accessed by millions of workers worldwide — both those with disabilities and those without. From stay-at-home-moms to location-independent 'digital nomads', telework is a great way to supplement your income and build your skills while you continue on your job hunt. rnAccording to theHarvard Business Review, 'Because it is now so much easier to work and earn income from home, part-time, and on a flexible schedule, the gig economy can provide choice, dignity, and a measure of financial control and opportunity to workers who previously had little of those things.'rnNow, Morrow loved writing so much, he decided to stick to it and work for himself, basically opening his own business. But this may not be right for you. You may have your eye on working for a company or landing a job with a steady, dependable paycheque. And that's good. That's your priority. rnIn this case, the added income you make from telework can allow you get to be choosy with job offers and pick the one that is right for you, without having to compromise out of sheer desperation. Give yourself a cushion and be strategic.

4) I Came, I Saw, I Modified, I Conquered

Remember that, when you're negotiating or even still looking for a job, you get to ask for what you want. Employers face strict labour laws, especially in Australia, against discrimination for those with disabilities. They're required, in fact, to provide 'modified' work and 'reasonable adjustments, where available, for those who display and disclose their disabilities. It's called the 'Disability Discrimination Act 1992' and it makes it 'unlawful for an employer to discriminate on the ground of a person’s disability...in offering employment, including the processes of determining who should be offered employment,' amongst other provisions. rnThis act is based on the international legal framework of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which protects: •The right to work on an equal basis to othersrn•The right to just and favourable conditions of work, including equal opportunities and equal remuneration for work of equal value, safe and healthy working conditionsrn•The right to effective access to general technical and vocational training So, it's up to you to be your own advocate and assert your qualifications as a candidate and your needs as a potential employee. Know that you are not only protected but that employers are absolutely required by law to use fair hiring practices.

5) Yes, You Still Need to Network — Strategically

Ah yes, good old networking. It never goes out of style — probably because it's so effective. rnThe standards of good networking apply here, just as in any other case. First off, if you're attending a specific job opportunities event, make sure to bring your resume along. Point to previous jobs that you've done, whether they were paid or not. Bring out your personality and highlight lessons and transferable skills. These always translate well in person. Make sure that you've got a couple of 'stats' to back up your claims. For example, if you managed a project in tight deadlines, you might want to re-word this to read, 'Planned, managed and launched a pivotal project, from start to finish, in 3 months, that launched to 2.5 million in sales'. Bingo. rnWhen networking, you might also consider working with a networking buddy. Having anetworking buddy is definitely a morale booster and major eliminator of the awkward-eye-dart-across-the-room move. But it's also an excellent way to pool shared information and resources together. For example, you can work one half of the room and your partner can work the other. You can gather later on to exchange information on who's looking for what and where potential leads on hiring may be. 'Choose yourself,' says author, speaker and non-conformist James Altucher in his book, Choose Yourself. It's not just that 'everyone else is taken,' as the famous quote goes. It's that the world — our economies, industries and the future of work -- have never been better poised for you to do exactly that. When you choose yourself, you become your own champion and advocate for your skills and strengths. You have the chance to build on those so any perceived 'weaknesses' are simply diminished by comparison. The job hunt is simply not about strengths and weaknesses. It's about fit —so go all in, narrow down your choices, use these strategies and land yourself the job of your dreams. rnChoose yourself.