With advances in technology, people with disabilities now have more opportunities than ever to advance their careers. From telecommuting to virtual interviews and online networking, technology can be a great tool to help individuals with disabilities reach professional goals. Here are some of the ways that people with disabilities can use technology to gain an edge in their careers.
Keep Your Resume as a PDF
Keep all of your resume and application documents in PDF form so that you can use online tools to edit them quickly and easily. Using an editable PDF, you can edit and update your resume as needed without having to print out multiple paper copies or mail them back and forth. This also makes it easier for employers to view your documents online rather than having them printed out on paper.
Discover the Benefits of Assistive Technology
Assistive technology, such as screen readers and alternative input devices, can provide the same information to those with mobility impairments that others access. Screen readers allow visually impaired or blind users to hear what is on their computers. Alternative input devices like joysticks and voice control systems, meanwhile, offer physical impairments greater control over how they interact with computers.
Work from Home
Technology has made it easier than ever before for individuals with disabilities to work from home. Telecommuting provides flexibility while also allowing those with disabilities a way around physical obstacles they may face when working outside their home environment. Additionally, telecommuting saves money on transportation costs which can be a financial burden for those living on a fixed income due to disability-related expenses.
Network Online
Networking is a key factor for individuals looking for new job opportunities. Difficulties can arise, however, when an individual has disabilities that make it difficult for them to attend traditional networking events or travel long distances for interviews. Fortunately, technology has made it possible to create virtual networks where potential employers and employees are able to meet online through websites or social media platforms.
Get Interviewed Online
In-person interviews can be difficult for those with disabilities. Virtual interviews have become popular among employers, making it easier to find new hires from around the world. Video conferencing platforms provide an opportunity for employers and job candidates to connect over distance, eliminating geographical barriers in the recruitment process.
Take Advantage of Online Training and Seminars
Webinars make training and knowledge acquisition more accessible to employers and employees, especially those with physical limitations due to disabilities. These virtual events allow participants to ask questions, engage in real-time discussions, and watch lecture recordings on job-related topics. Additionally, webinars are convenient for professionals who are unable to attend traditional seminars or workshops due to physical restrictions.
Look Into Voice-to-Text Technology
Voice-to-text technologies make it easier than ever before for those with physical limitations like disabilities to create written documents quickly and accurately. This type of assistive technology helps bridge the gap between those with difficulty typing or writing and able-bodied individuals who have no such difficulty. With this technology, everyone, regardless of ability level, can participate in any given industry on equal ground, regardless of previous experience or knowledge.
For individuals living with disabilities, technological advances offer a wealth of new opportunities that were not available just a few short years ago. From being able to easily keep resumes and applications up-to-date using online editing tools to utilizing assistive technologies like screen readers and alternative input devices to taking advantage of voice-to-text software, there are now more ways than ever for disabled people to access the same tools as those without disabilities. With these resources at hand, there are fewer obstacles to achieving career success, and countless possibilities can be opened up.