Only about 25% of working aged disabled are employed.
Apply being disabled to a job search or volunteering and that is a major challenge.
One major task is to educate others to see the disabled as able-bodied people who can be a benefit to their organization. The first task is finding a position that suits the disabled person and allows them to thrive and grow as productive employees within an organization.
There are thousands of good employment and volunteer opportunities available. What jobs are available in their area that they can apply their talents and experience to? Questions need to be asked about location, work environment and adaptations for the disabled person. Is the employer willing to accommodate the employee's special needs? When applying for a job asking these questions may solve problems before they arise in the work environment.
Most people with Multiple Sclerosis can not work in extremely hot or cold weather; these things must be considered for the benefit of the employees and the employers. If the job has a height requirement someone who has balance, coordination problems, or in a wheelchair should not apply for safety reasons. Also factory work were you stand all day wouldn't be suitable either. For those who need to move around because of spasticity sitting all day wouldn't work either.
People who suffer with vision problems like vertigo would not want a job where attention to detail, driving or moving really fast is required. Some of have different degrees of disability and/or symptoms that effects where they work and what they do. A person wouldn't want to have tremors and be working with glass or hot substances.
The MS person needs to make a checklist and be honest with themselves. It wouldn't be fair to the employee or the organization if they weren't honest.
Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable disease and one day the employee may feel fine but the next are tired and fatigued. Everyday is different and they need to remember that.
We have several things that we should look at before we even start our search. Do you suffer from fatigue or? It wouldn't be good having a job where you needed to watch every little detail. There are jobs/careers that are available to the person with MS. The local employment office is a good resource for employment leads. Most government agencies have specific departments that deal with the disabled. There are employment agencies that only have disabled clients.
Starting your own home-based business is an option for people who can feel good one day and need to rest the next. This can also be for people who need special or flexible time tables and schedules that are suitable for doctor's appointments.
There are also traditional markets for job seeking. Not everyone with MS is markedly disabled. There are those who maintain their jobs or careers and that have adapted to their symptoms. Sometimes they are fortunate and have no symptoms at all.
For those people who aren't capable of full-time hours they can look to part-time, flexible hours, telecommuting or volunteer work.
There are all kinds of agencies that need volunteers for everything from telemarketing to fundraising door to door.
Sometimes it's those experiences that help to get you in the door for future employment. There are MS Societies, Associations, and Organizations that need help to maintain local services. Sometimes doing volunteer work can boost self-esteem, self-image and help others at the same time.