HOW CAN I FIND A JOB IF I'M DISABLED?

QUESTION:
I started out with six years of desktop publishing, graphic design, and 
general computer consulting when my spine was injured severely in an 
automobile accident. During four years of recovery, I completed CNE and 
MCSE certification and training, and I became proficient in Web 
development and programming. Finally, I returned to the work world as 
an administrative network and computing coordinator for a local 
college.

I was reinjured on the job, and since my sixth surgery (anterior spinal 
fusion), I've been unable to return to work.

My Web design and programming skills have been well received, and I 
receive countless headhunter calls and e-mails regarding employment. 
But because of my condition, I've been afraid to accept an interview. 
I'm confident that I would be an extremely valuable telecommuting 
employee, but I'm somewhat embarrassed by my disability and I fear 
rejection.

What is the climate like for telecommuting Webmasters? Do you think it 
would be worthwhile for me to attempt to find a job? I've been putting 
all my efforts toward entrepreneurship.

REPLY:
You can't worry about how people will react to your disability. What 
matters is that you're good at your work. With that in mind, you should 
be no more embarrassed about your disability than you would be 
embarrassed about your abilities.

There are companies that will hire you because you can produce, not 
because you can walk. Some companies might hire you to fulfill their 
equal opportunity hiring requirements. As long as you're productive and 
they value your work, accept the advantage.

Years ago, I was at a special conference held by Apple concerning how 
personal computers could be modified to suit disabled users. There were 
a few disabled people in the room. After listening to us work our jaws 
about all our great ideas, one guy in a wheelchair piped in. "You keep 
referring to me and others as 'disabled' and 'handicapped.' Do you know 
what I call all of you?"

The silence was sudden and painful.

"You're all TABs. Know what that stands for? Temporarily Able-Bodied." 
It started to sink in as he went on chiding us. "At some point, whether 
you get hit by a car or just get old, you won't be able-bodied any 
more. So it isn't a question of being different from me. It's a 
question of when that temporary status of yours will end. Makes you 
think, doesn't it?"

Since then, I've never looked at anyone in a wheelchair the same way.

Focus on what you're good at. Don't make apologies for one aspect of 
who you are. Don't make it easy for employers to ignore you. Show them 
how you can make them more profitable. If you can do that, some of them 
will let you work from home, and they won't worry about how fast you 
can move around except on your keyboard.

Bear in mind that many companies won't let you, or anyone else, work 
from home. Telecommuting still isn't as popular as we'd like it to be. 
But don't take that personally. Keep looking for companies that want 
your output rather than your presence.

If you're physically able to work in an office, don't let your fear 
stop you. It's surprising how quickly accolades put fear in its place.

Whether you want a job as a Webmaster or want to run your own business, 
go for it. The key is to take responsibility for showing how your work 
will profit a company.

Best, 
Nick Corcodilos 
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