Volunteer Jobs
Especially in a tight job market, be willing to work as a volunteer. Many community and nonprofit organizations, social service agencies, libraries, and schools depend on volunteer help and will be glad to talk with you. If possible, volunteer in a field you find interesting. If you’re interested in health care, for example, volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or rehab center. If you like working with children, volunteer as a camp counselor, daycare center assistant, or children’s library helper. Fire departments, nursing homes, homeless shelters, and community literacy programs are just a few of the many organizations that use volunteers to help extend their services.Paid Jobs
All things being equal, it’s nice to get paid for your work. You may also want to combine volunteering with paid work so you can save money for college or job training. Seek out job opportunities in retail stores, restaurants, local newspapers, community centers, travel agencies, and utility companies, to name a few good possibilities. If you answer an employment ad and submit your resume or inquiry letter electronically, be sure to follow up with a phone call in a few days, asking for an interview. Many people are looking for work — companies may get a hundred or more resumes. Following up your application will establish you as an individual and show a potential employer how interested you are in the position.A paid job is an opportunity to learn what it’s like to follow a supervisor’s instructions, ask for help or more information if you need it, and get along with coworkers. You can also demonstrate and practice your work ethic by arriving on time, dressing appropriately, pacing yourself so you accomplish what your boss expects from you, and behaving in a professional manner. Professional behavior means you accept criticism calmly, try to improve, and always do your best. It means you’re pleasant and helpful with the public, if the job requires contact with customers or clients.
An ideal job, volunteer or paid:
- offers work in a field you're interested in;
- allows you to use your strengths;
- allows you to try out accommodations you need to do the job successfully (such as a quiet place to work);
- provides a supportive, accepting work environment.
Learn What Your Rights Are
If you find a paid job, remember that as a person with learning disabilities, you have certain legal protections provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Be sure you know what the laws require of employers.
Find Reliable Information and Help
To comply with legal requirements, many states offer youth employment programs to help young people with learning disabilities practice job skills and get jobs. Here are a few good sources of information.- For information specifically about jobs for young people with learning disabilities, be sure to browse through our Resource Locator. Its “LD in the Workplace” category lists many other additional information sources.
- Visit the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) online career center. Here you can put your resume in a searchable database, apply for jobs online, and get your questions answered.
- There may be companies or organizations in your area that offer jobs and job training specifically for people with learning disabilities. These programs usually include job coaches who will help you get acclimated and do the work. The “Students and Career Advisors” section of the “CareerOneStop” site, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, offers valuable employment information and advice, including how to apply for a job and write a resume.
- You may find it useful to visit a one-stop career center in your area. At the Service Locator website, you can enter your zip code or city, your state, and the distance you’re willing to travel to find “comprehensive one-stop career centers” near you. These centers provide job postings, computer stations with Internet access, job information, support groups for job seekers, job fairs, and workshops on job-related skills, such as interviewing.
- Go to JAN, the Job Accommodation Network, to find your state’s Vocational Rehabilitation services. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) provides information about jobs to people with disabilities, including learning disabilities. On your state’s VR page you may find a list of topics on how to find employment. This list may include WorkForce Centers in your state. At a WorkForce Center, you’ll get the services of trained staff members, free information about employment workshops and training, computer and Internet access, and much more.
- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides funding for programs that create new jobs. Check with your city or county government to see if they’ve received stimulus money geared towards serving “disadvantaged youth” — including those with LD.
Volunteer or paid jobs are opportunities to build your marketable skills. Both kinds of jobs can be listed on your resume. Both put you in contact with people who might recommend you for another job or for a training program. Ask adults who know and care about you to help you as you take your first steps into the world of work.
Bonnie Z. Goldsmith has worked in the field of education throughout her professional life. She has wide experience as a writer, editor, and teacher.
