Starting a new job?
If you’re navigating this new chapter as a person with a disability, you might also be carrying some extra questions about access, support, and how to thrive without shrinking who you are.
Let’s clear the air and get you grounded with five truths to hold tight as you step into your new role boldly and unapologetically.
1. You Belong Here (And You’re Protected, Too)
Let’s get this straight right away:
✅ You’re protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
✅ You have the right to fair treatment and equal opportunity
But beyond laws and policies, you bring perspective, power, and purpose to your team. You’re not just a checkbox. You’re an asset.
🗣️ Reminder: You earned this job. You don’t need to prove your worth you already have.
2. Asking for Accommodations = Owning Your Success
Need voice-to-text software? A flexible schedule? A different chair?
That’s not asking for special treatment, it’s setting yourself up to thrive.
🎯: Accommodations aren’t favors. They’re your right. And when you speak up early, your employer can support you faster and better.
💡 Pro Tip: Frame accommodations as success strategies for both you and your team.
3. You Set the Story
Your disability is part of your story, but you get to decide how (and if) you tell it.
You’re only required to share what’s necessary for safety or accommodation. That’s it. Whether you’re open, private, or somewhere in between you’re in control.
❓ Ask Yourself:
- What do I want people to know?
- What feels empowering to share (or not share)?
- What boundaries matter most to me?
4. Your Voice Can Shift Culture
See something that could be more inclusive? Got an idea to make your workplace better? Say it.
Your perspective matters and it could change the game for everyone who comes after you.
5. You’re Not Alone (Seriously)
You don’t have to figure it all out solo. There’s a whole community of folks, mentors, advocates, and peers who get it.
💬 Find support:
- Connect with coworkers who share similar experiences
- Look for disability-centered professional networks
- Tap into organizations that champion workplace inclusion
Because thriving isn’t just about the job, it’s about the people around you, too.
✨ You’re Just Getting Started
You don’t need to shrink to fit. You get to expand into who you are. Boldly. Fully. Proudly.
You’ve got this. Now go out there and own it.