Workplaces are incredibly diverse, and people with disabilities are represented across all industries and roles. In this section, we will explore how disability may impact your work experience, how to identify and build strategies to navigate the workplace with confidence, and what accommodations and supports are available to address disability-related barriers.
People with disabilities work in nearly every job and field imaginable. While a disability may affect certain areas of daily life or work, many individuals are able to choose career paths that play to their strengths and develop strategies that help them thrive. In some cases, people are successful in the workplace without needing formal accommodations at all.
As you prepare for employment, it can be helpful to reflect on where you may need extra support and which skills you want to strengthen.
Consider the following areas:
Thinking ahead about potential challenges allows you to be proactive. What strategies or skills could help you manage these situations? While some workplaces can provide accommodations, building your own tools and coping strategies can give you greater independence and confidence, and more control over your long-term success. There is no single “right” way to navigate employment with a disability. What works best for you will depend on many factors, including your specific needs, strengths, and the type of work environment you are in.
If you have a disability that impacts you at work, you can request accommodations on the job. However, workplace accommodations usually look different from the supports you may have received in high school, so it’s helpful to understand what to expect and how to prepare.
Key things to know:
There is no “special education” program in the workplace. While disability-related accommodations do exist, the process and types of support are very different from those in school.
Individual Education Plans (IEPs) do not continue after high school. IEPs only apply in elementary and secondary school, and employers use their own processes to decide how accommodations are provided.
To access formal workplace accommodations, you must have a diagnosed disability and disability-related functional impairments that affect your ability to complete specific job tasks. Not everyone who had an IEP or received support in high school has a formal diagnosis. If you’re unsure, consider talking with a healthcare provider or reviewing your documentation (such as your IEP).
You must be able to complete the essential duties of your job, with or without accommodations.
Unlike in school, where supports often follow you automatically, your employer will not know you need help unless you tell them. Since your IEP ends when you leave high school, it is your responsibility to disclose your disability to the appropriate person or department if you need workplace accommodations.
The type and level of support someone may need at work can vary widely. Some people manage their accommodations independently, while others benefit from employer-provided supports. This depends on the nature of the disability, how it affects job tasks, and the demands of the workplace.
If your disability makes it difficult to perform required job tasks, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations. Federal and provincial laws require employers to consider accommodations when a disability creates barriers to working or learning safely.
Keep in mind:
In many cases, employees and employers work together to put formal or informal accommodations in place. Examples may include:
In the workplace, accommodations and supports are not provided automatically, you need to ask for them. This can feel challenging, especially for students who had an Individual Education Plan (IEP) in elementary or secondary school, where supports often followed them from year to year without much direct involvement. Because of this shift, self-advocacy becomes an important skill for workplace success.
Being a strong self-advocate means understanding yourself, recognizing the demands of your job, and knowing how to ask for the supports you need. It also involves being aware of your strengths, challenges, and how your disability may affect your work.
It’s helpful to remember that not all challenges require accommodations. Some areas of difficulty are connected to skills that can be learned and improved over time. Building these skills can increase your independence and confidence at work.
As you prepare to enter the workforce, take time to think about where accommodations may be helpful—and where you’d like to focus on developing new skills. Balancing self-advocacy with skill-building can help you take ownership of your success and move forward with confidence in the workplace.
Supported employment is designed to help people with disabilities who may be having difficulty finding a job or who need more intensive support once they are working. These services focus on helping individuals succeed in meaningful employment and build confidence in the workplace. In most cases, supported employment services are free for employees and can offer a wide range of supports, including:
Many supported employment programs have eligibility requirements, which may be based on factors such as age, educational status, or type of disability. These programs are designed to match individuals with the right level of support for their needs. Some supported employment programs include:
The Youth Job Connection program serves youth aged 15 to 29 who experience multiple and/or complex barriers to employment by providing more intensive supports beyond traditional job search and placement opportunities.
March of Dimes Canada Employment Services supports people with disabilities to find and keep meaningful jobs, through coaching, training and on-the-job support.
Employment Ontario can help you get the training, skills, and experience you need to find and keep a job.
Understanding how your disability may impact you at work and how to request accommodations can help you make informed career choices and navigate employment with confidence. In the next section, you’ll explore how building skills and strategies can further support your success in the workplace.
