Trade Schools
Whether it’s something you’ve lived with all your lives or an unfortunate consequence of an unforeseen incident, disability can leave many questioning many life aspects – including career.
Regardless of whether your disability is physical or not, you’re not alone in wondering how you can lead a successful professional life.
This wonderment is especially important to discuss as many people with disabilities hold themselves back, fearing difficulties later.
People with disabilities are less likely to have completed a bachelor’s degree.
Inclusion in a typical school environment can be a challenge for them.
Many students with disabilities don’t participate in extra-curricular activities because of a lack of social inclusion.
There’s also the concern of educational institutions focusing solely on academic and physical accessibility.
Research shows only 34 percent of students with disabilities complete a four-year program.
As a result, they are less likely to get jobs since individuals with higher levels of education are preferred for most roles.
However, as the future progresses and the world becomes more inclusive, trade jobs have become lucrative options for those with disabilities.
Since trade jobs require specialized skills developed through training rather than a bachelor’s degree, they make a great fit for students with disabilities interested in diving straight into the professional arena.
Can People with Disabilities Build a Trade Career?
Yes, they can.
People with disabilities don’t have to follow the traditional educational and professional path to achieve success and financial independence.
Regardless of the type of your disability, you may enter the world of skilled trades, get advanced training to develop the necessary trade skills and start earning more quickly.
Several vocational schools offer training that costs less time and money yet prepares individuals for a financially secure future.
However, the transition from a traditional classroom into a trade school isn’t as seamless as you may assume.
People with disabilities must determine their career aspirations and seek an educational experience that matches their requirements and interests.
You should also know how you can put your best foot forward when entering the professional world.
Which Trade Jobs Are Ideal for People with Disabilities?
The skilled trades comprise various professions, promising a diverse range of career options for those with a disability.
Regardless of the type of disability you have or your choice of profession, there are numerous trade careers to suit your interests and long-term professional goals.
Thanks to technological advancements and the availability of more adaptive tools and assistive equipment, people with disabilities enjoy the flexibility of exploring multiple trades until they identify their true calling.
Let’s dive in to explore trade job options for people with various disabilities.
For People with Hearing Impairments
Below are the ideal trade jobs for people with partial or complete deafness.
Construction Work
The skilled trade positions in this category include plumbers, carpenters, electricians, painters, and contractors.
Since these roles are labor-intensive, interested people with a hearing disability should be willing to leverage their physical ability.
Moreover, they must have an in-depth knowledge of the laws, policies, and procedures applicable to a particular trade.
Computer Programming
This field revolves around building computer-based software, programs, applications, and operating systems using coding languages.
The role is highly visual since all the work is done on the computer.
When there’s a need to communicate with co-workers or clients, people with hearing disabilities can stick to written modalities or use assistive equipment, such as sound amplifiers or hearing aids.
Medical Laboratory Technician
A technician in a medical lab is responsible for testing various biological samples for diagnosing and treating diseases.
Since most of the tasks can be done independently in the laboratory setting, people with hearing impairments can showcase their talent and achieve their targets hassle-freely.
Again, they can use text-based communications or use assistive listening devices when interacting with co-workers.
For People with Physical Impairments
The following trade careers are ideal for you if you have a disability that restricts your physical movement and impacts your motor skills.
Web Development
This profession involves building and designing websites using coding languages.
Since much of the work is done on computers or tablets sitting on a desk, it is feasible for people with physical disabilities interested in working with technology.
You may even find a part-time job in this niche or get to work from home to ensure optimal comfort and convenience.
Graphic Designing
This career is the best bet for people with a physical disability with fantastic creative skills and a strong passion for art.
Graphic designing involves conveying a brand’s personality and message to the target audience through visual means.
Thanks to the technological advancements in the field, you may utilize screen enlargement applications or note-taking software to make your job easier.
You can also work on modified schedules or from home at your convenience.
Medical Transcription
Medical transcriptionists are assistive members in the healthcare sector, responsible for taking patient notes.
They usually have to transcribe audio files and prepare written notes for healthcare practitioners.
People with a physical disability face no challenges in fulfilling this role.
They can use software for converting speech to text for greater efficiency.
Besides, hospitals and other healthcare facilities are designed to be accessible for those with a disability.
For People with Cognitive Impairments
The following trade jobs are well-suited for people with intellectual disabilities and compromised cognitive processes.
Veterinary Technician
Veterinary technicians help vets treat and care for animals.
If you have a cognitive impairment and love being around animals, this career option is perfect.
You may be required to deal with customers and get the hang of technological tools, healthcare equipment, and medicines to promote healing and well-being in animals.
Some assistive technology like organization or checklist apps may help you stay focused and keep track of your progress.
Culinary Arts
People with cognitive disabilities can work as chefs, bartenders, caterers, or waiters in this field.
If you have a passion for preparing and serving delicious food and drinks and are willing to make the most of your creativity, stamina, teamwork, and customer service skills, this may be the right career option for you.
Cosmetology
People with cognitive impairments can make great cosmetologists.
You can work as a hairdresser, makeup artist, barber, spa specialist, nail technician, or aesthetician.
Keep in mind that you’ll likely be standing for long hours while working closely with customers.
Transportation
If automobiles interest you, you should consider building a career in the transportation sector.
You could drive a vehicle or serve as a cargo agent or traffic controller.
This field provides the opportunity to tackle hands-on tasks, for which you’ll need to be flexible.
You must also possess teamwork, time management, and problem-solving skills to succeed as a transportation professional.
For People with Visual Impairments
Good trade jobs for people with visual impairments include:
Sound Engineering
Sound engineers use software to mix, edit, and manipulate sound to produce quality audio recordings.
This job is often done live or in a recording studio.
You may be inclined to produce music, control the sound during live musical performances, or work in post-production settings.
While you’ll have to undergo extensive training to learn the nitty-gritty of the job and use assistive tools to get it right, good taste in music and excellent hearing skills are enough to make you a successful sound engineer.
Paralegal
Paralegal professionals help lawyers with legal correspondence, documents, and contracts.
The primary skills needed to succeed at this job are related to research, writing, transcription, and stenography.
People with visual impairments can make waves in this field using a Braille translator or an optical character recognition system.
There are many online programs for paralegals available.
Network Architecture
These experts are responsible for designing and maintaining data communication networks.
They provide hardware and software recommendations and install whatever is ideal for supporting computer networks.
People with visual impairments may succeed in this role, given that they develop excellent computer and troubleshooting skills.
They may use screen-reading or magnification tools for accuracy, depending on the strength of their vision.
Final Words
Unfortunately, our workforce under-represents people with disabilities.
These individuals find it challenging to graduate college and struggle to land their dream jobs.
Thankfully, trade schools provide vocational education to empower people with disabilities to enter the workforce by equipping them with essential skills needed for various roles.
With the help of assistive devices and adaptive tools, people with visual, hearing, cognitive, and physical impairments can work in a wide range of industries.
Individuals with a disability looking to lay a solid foundation for their careers should consider joining an accredited trade school with inclusive policies, a communicative faculty, and an engaging curriculum that offers an exceptional academic experience and the support needed to succeed in professional life.
Are you ready to take the first step towards a prosperous future where your disability won’t hinder your growth and success?
Start searching for the ideal trade school today!
