Resources for Working with Chronic Illness & Disability
Liz Weisenburger, MA.MS..APCC 7817 | Counseling & Soul Care for Living Well with Chronic Illness & Disability
Online Individual & Group Counseling for all of California | Located in San Diego, CA
Liz Weisenburger, MA.MS..APCC#7817 Certified Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor & Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
To learn more about counseling, call me at (858) 630-8401 or click here set up a free & easy 15 min consultation online
Flexible jobs for chronically ill and disabled jobseekers
I am so excited about this company! Started by the bright, young, self-starter Hannah Olson. A Lyme survivor with deep roots in the chronic illness community, she had to leave her dream job due to the aggressive treatment schedule for Lyme disease. She now works with organizations to provide jobs for every ability, gathering flexible and remote work opportunities from a range of industries, so that no one ever has to decide between their health and work ambitions again.
“Through our ambitions, they hope to provide our community with a sense of purpose, financial independence and security. We are working to remove the fear and stigma of living with chronic illness or disability from the hiring process. We create a tacit understanding between employers and jobseekers: employers who are part of our network believe that people living with chronic illness or disability are capable of being productive employees—and jobseekers who use the platform can feel secure that participating employers care about their success.
This is a great resource!
Under the A.D.A., companies with more than 15 employees are required to provide reasonable accommodations to people who disclose a disability, which the law defines as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” Those with invisible disabilities may be asked to provide medical documentation to support their need for requested accommodations, and to suggest adaptations that will enable them to perform to their full potential.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.
Have a question about JAN? Review JAN's Frequently Asked Questions.
The California Department of Rehabilitation
Psssst…This is the best kept secret out there! I only heard about it 9 years after my diagnosis. The CA Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) helped me re-train to become a counselor and paid for my masters program tuition, my books & supplies, and monthly transportation! Millions have been helped.
My siblings, niece, & me at my graduation with my MS in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and Clinical Mental Health from SDSU Tuition, books, & transportation covered by the California DOR.
I am so grateful. If you have any questions about getting re-trained, getting another degree or furthering your employment options, contact me!
Did you know that if you are medically qualified, and need to re-figure your work path, you are entitled to a rehabilitation counseling, career & educational guidance, financial support, and assistive technology, through the Department of Rehabilitation?
The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) works in partnership with clients and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation services are designed to help job seekers with disabilities obtain competitive employment in integrated work settings. Independent living services may include peer support, skill development, systems advocacy, referrals, assistive technology services, transition services, housing assistance, and personal assistance services.
O’Net has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more!
Disability & Work
Do What Works for You: How to Balance Career and Chronic Illness
“Is it possible to balance a career and a chronic illness? Absolutely! Being honest and realistic with yourself can help you realize the best workplace fit for you. Being assertive and setting boundaries with your employer will help clearly establish your limits and keep you in a mentally and physically healthy space. Finally, taking breaks can help keep you going. Recognizing these concessions can allow you to move toward career values that are important to you.
A Guide to your Rights in the Employment Process
“Do I have to disclose my disability to my employer? What accommodations am I entitled to request? Can I be paid less because of my reasonable accommodation? So many questions might arise as you go through the employment process. Living with chronic illness or disability, means constantly navigating barriers set by a society that was not built for us.”
Disclosing Your Illness and Requesting Accommodations At Work
“I get it: disclosure is awkward and might feel unnecessary. Why does my employer need to know about my illness anyways?”
How to Disclose a Disability to Your Employer (and Whether You Should)
“If you, like thousands of others, live with a visible or invisible disability, here’s what you need to know if you want to tell your employer.”
“Working got even more difficult when I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, an autoimmune condition that attacks my digestive system. Now my body hurt, I had trouble eating, and the fatigue I'd been experiencing my whole life increased by tenfold. I still tried as hard as I could to work, because I had to…In a capitalist society, your worth is measured by how hard you work and how much money you make. For those of us who physically can't work, that can leave you feeling worthless.”