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We understand that different barriers can impact your experience. Different types of disabilities can pose different barriers during your work search, on the job and if you want to study further. On this page, we have some tips, resources and things to remember about searching for work and working with a disability!.
Finding the right opportunity that aligns with your core values and accessibility requirements may take some require additional time and planning. Remember, you’re not alone in this process! We have . The resources and suggestions below that in this section can support you in this journey and ensure you feel informed, prepared , and confident in about navigating the workforce with your disability.
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Understanding your accommodation needs
It can help to think through consider what the employer may not be aware of regarding disabilities. That’s This is often where you will need to focus when requesting adjustments or accommodations.
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Maybe you suspect that you may have a disability, or you are not formally diagnosed. Do you experience any functional limitations when working? But you don’t have an accommodation plan? Consider visiting AccessAbility Services or Occupational Health to chat about what support options are available and would be a good fit for you. As well, you might find helpful resources on the Student Support Services page.
Maybe you have a non-apparent disability. Many employers are unaware that many disabilities are non-apparent or episodic and only sometimes apparent. Outsiders may struggle to understand all the barriers that folks with non-apparent disabilities will navigate. Try looking through the supports listed on this page to find what might work best for you.
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Engaging with others can also help you gain a more transparent perspective of a potential employer!.
You might connect with people you trust
You might join an already existing network for folks with disabilities, such as:
Discover Ability Network, is a job-matching platform where students can register, self-identify as having a disability , and access job postings from inclusive employers.
Lime Connect, is a resource that connects students with disabilities to a network of professionals, job opportunities, recruitment events, internships , and networking opportunities.
You might target job opportunities built specifically for people with disabilities like Federal Internship Program for Canadians with Disabilities or Specialisterne, a site specifically for students on the autism spectrum that connects them to meaningful job opportunities.
You might check out structured opportunities to connect on campus like Employer Information Sessions, Ten Thousand Coffees UWaterloo and off campus like Pride at Work Rendez Vous or Matrices, MentorAbility.
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A career advisor can support you by chatting about how you may want to talk about your employment accommodations.
Co-op accessibility works with students within Coco-op and EDGE to explore potential student employment accommodations. Possible employment accommodations would be achieved based on student accessibility needs and employer input. Students in Coco-op and EDGE may also consider reaching out to the co-op student experience manager (Accessibilityaccessibility) at : co-op.accessibility@uwaterloo.ca for support with engaging in the employment accommodation process.
If you are a current student looking for support and you have a disability, you can register with AccessAbility Services (AAS), which will connect you with an accommodation consultant. Once you are registered, the accommodation consultant can assist with requesting academic accommodations and possibly employment accommodations.
If you are an employee at the university (working with the university), then you could chat with Occupational Health about different ways to talk about your disability.
If you’ve received academic accommodations before, you might reflect on what was helpful and whether it can transfer to a workplace setting. The following are resources that can help if you’re in this situation:
Academic Accommodations Translated into Employment Settings – University of Guelph Resource
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) – A to Z of Disabilities and Accommodations
Job Seekers Guide For Students and Graduates with Disabilities – Understanding your Accommodation Needs – Carleton University Resource
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For an additional perspective, check out The the Job Seekers Guide for Students and Graduates with Disabilities. On pages 7-8, there is a comprehensive chart that offers information to consider when deciding whether to disclose your disability.
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Once you get invited for an interview, you might want to do some preparation! . You may want to book an interview appointment with a career advisor or practice by writing examples of your skills with a friend. The interview allows you to share your story and connect with the hiring manager to see if this job would be a good fit for you! Some employers now openly communicate that they provide accommodations.
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