Tips for Job Seekers with Disabilities
- Ask if there is other experience which an employer would accept in place of formal educational qualifications, if you don't have them.
- Are there any gaps in your employment record which are related to your disability? If so, make this clear on your application and include information of other experience you gathered during that time. If there is no space on the application for other relevant non-work experience ask if you can submit it separately, perhaps via email.
- Don't get caught by surprise. Ask about the whole recruitment process, to help you decide if you may need accommodations at any stage. This might be an interpreter at interview; extra time in an assessment; accessible interview or assessment venue, etc.
- Don't hesitate to ask for accommodations. Accommodations will ensure you have an equal opportunity to perform at your best.
- Help employers make accommodations for you — make sure they know what you require and your preferred solution. You may need to help employers, who may be inexperienced, find solutions. It is in both your interests if you are able to perform well at every stage.
- You will need to use your judgement regarding if or when to disclose your disability. Remember, some employers will be actively seeking to recruit disabled people — others will be less aware.
Employment Resources
Employment resources include the following. Please visit our Individuals Seeking Employment page for more links and information.
| BC Association for Community Living | www.bcacl.org |
| BC Association of Professionals with Disabilities | www.bcprofessionals.org |
| BC Epilepsy Society | www.bcepilepsy.com |
| BC Paraplegic Association | www.bcpara.org |
| BC Work Infonet | www.workinfonet.bc.ca |
| Canadian Mental Health Association | www.cmha.ca |
| Canadian National Institute for the Blind | www.cnib.ca |
| Diversity World | www.diversityworld.com |
| EnableLink | www.abilities.ca |
| Ministry of Housing and Social Development | www.gov.bc.ca/hsd |
| Neil Squire Society | www.neilsquire.ca |
| THEO BC | www.theobc.org |
| Western Institute for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing | www.widh.ca |
| Workable Solutions | www.workablesolutionsbc.ca |
