ABI RESOURCES | CONNECTICUT JOBS FOR BRAIN INJURY SURVIVORS

I HAVE A BRAIN INJURY

FINDING A JOB WHEN YOU HAVE A BRAIN INJURY.

TBI BRAIN INJURY FINDING A JOB EMPLOYMENT DISABILITY WORKING

Having a job provides us with feelings of self-worth, responsibility and independence. It nurtures our sense of accomplishment.

Common Challenges.

Asking for accommodations
Over-Cautious employers
Mixed or very short working schedules
Making money and loosing essential support services
Bringing your personal assistant
Maintaining concentration and attention.
Quick or extreme fatigue
Speech
Memory loss
Social relationships
Emotional
Behavioral
Physical abilities
Limited vision

Assessing Your Abilities and Skills.

Think about factors in the workplace that will negatively affect your condition. Some conditions may make you sensitive to certain environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes or certain substances in the workplace.

For example, you may have respiratory issues that are aggravated by humidity in the air or dust and fumes. Or you may have hearing issues that are irritated by noise or vibrations from moving machinery. You may also have a discomfort working at heights or with certain odors.
Identifying your comfort levels with these factors will ensure you only pursue work positions that will suit your condition and not harm you in any way.

Use a Variety of Job-Seeking Techniques

Personal contacts
Classified ads
Campus job-placement services
Job-placement assistance through temp agencies
Disability advocacy or support groups
Vocational rehabilitation agencies
Take advantage of the Internet
When you apply for a position, FOCUS on your qualifications and abilities.

Do Your Homework First.

Research the company you're applying to.
Check with disability advocacy groups to see if the company has a good reputation for hiring, training and promoting workers with disabilities.
Find out their strengths and weaknesses.
Many corporations' Web sites provide lots of information
Know how your background and experience fit with the company.
Be prepared to discuss why your strengths.
Being familiar with the company, shows you're motivated to work for them.

Know What Technologies Can Help You Work Effectively

Your skills may be maximized through assistive technology.
Speech recognition software
StickyKeys
Auto-correct, for instance
Adjusting a monitor's resolution can make big difference when reading small print easier for people with limited vision.

Decide When to Disclose Your Disability

Even though federal law states you aren't required to reveal your disability, unless it relates to completing essential job functions, consider being open on this subject.
If you volunteer this information, the employer may see you as a strong and confident person.
Depending on the circumstances, you could describe your limitations in a resume, cover letter, or job application.
If you need a special schedule make this clear on your application, employers dislike being mislead.
Identify your physical abilities. Consider how your condition affects your ability to do certain work-related activities like sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.

Make the Interview Easy for the Employer

If you are bringing an interpreter, wheelchair, guide dog, etc.

notify your interviewers so they can prepare in advance.

As needed, inquire about accessible entrances to the building and the best route once inside to get to your interview.

Role-Play

If your disability makes you do certain tasks differently, are you comfortable explaining how you will perform the job?
Try role-playing the situation with a trusted friend, team member or family member.
Practice explaining how you will perform your job and what accommodations, if any, you need.
Describe how the company would benefit from hiring you.

Dress Appropriately

Unless specifically encouraged to dress casually, follow the universal code about what to wear to an interview:
Dress business casual.
For people with limited mobility, the process of dressing for a job interview can be quite a challenge, but it's worth it.

Bring Samples of Your Work and Extra Resumes

A clean, printed resume.
Ask friends and family to write short references about your abilities.
Your employer may want to know how well you maintain concentration and attention in a workplace, and your ability to understand, remember, and carry out instructions.
Samples allow you to illustrate your skills with specific examples.

Anticipate and Address Potential Concerns Directly

You know some people have fears and prejudices about workers with disabilities, even when they don't express these attitudes directly. If you want the job, you must allay these concerns. Using examples from your own life or prior work experience, discuss how you accomplish activities that challenge you, like getting around the workplace, communicating with others, using equipment and so forth.

Handle Illegal Interview Questions with Grace

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 made it illegal for employers to ask about medical history during an interview.
If you are asked inappropriate question, respond diplomatically. Try: "Nothing in my personal life will keep me from doing an outstanding job in this position." This answer should satisfy a prospective employer's concerns about your ability to get the job done.

Start identifying your career path

Explore your work preferences and understand your strengths in under two minutes.
Future-proof yourself for tomorrow's jobs by discovering your work interests based on your personal traits.
Click here: To Start identifying your career path in 4 easy online steps.

Finding a Job - ( Some Great Options )

Look for a position through a temporary agency.

Temporary agency employment is a great way to get back into the workforce, gain skills, and reorient yourself to the current job market. Some of the largest temporary agencies are: