Historically, people with disabilities have faced significant challenges in employment. They often encounter barriers to obtaining or keeping a job, including unfavorable workplace practices, accommodation issues, and attitudinal barriers from employers and coworkers.
Despite these challenges, employment rates for people with disabilities have increased in recent years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Given these challenges and rising employment rates, it is important for counselors to incorporate strategies to enhance the well-being of workers with chronic illnesses and disabilities in the workplace.
How work impacts happiness
Work plays a central role in an individual’s life and can have both positive and negative effects on mental health. Job satisfaction affects many aspects of life, including job performance, productivity, attendance, contribution to the organization, mental and physical health, and overall satisfaction with life. Stressors such as burnout often stem from the demands of work and can have effects beyond the workplace, affecting personal relationships and self-esteem.
The literature on disability and job satisfaction has revealed important insights. In particular, people with disabilities may be more satisfied with receiving a job offer than with specific job characteristics. This is noted in a chapter on job satisfaction written by Barbara Fritzsche et al. in Career Development, Employment and Disability in Rehabilitation: From Theory to Practice. Self-employment is also associated with higher job satisfaction for people with disabilities. However, challenges remain in the workplace, including barriers to inclusion, acceptance, and receiving necessary accommodations. In a 2016 study published in Research in Developmental Disabilities, Yujeong Park et al. identified life satisfaction and work-related factors, such as workload and salary, as predictors of job satisfaction for people with disabilities.
As counselors, we are inherently interested in an individual’s overall functioning and optimal health, and here are five strategies counselors can implement to improve workplace wellness for clients with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
1. Understand individual needs: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adults in the United States has some kind of disability, and six in ten adults have a chronic illness. These conditions range from physical and developmental disabilities to mental illness, diabetes, and cancer. Since everyone has different needs and functional limitations, it is important for counselors to do a proper assessment to understand their client’s condition and needs.
This understanding begins with building trust, the foundation for effective communication and collaboration. Building trust includes:
Demonstrate empathy and understanding for clients’ unique life experiences
Respect client autonomy and understand that people with disabilities and chronic illnesses are experts on their own experiences
Use inclusive and respectful language, including pro-people language and preferred terminology
Create a safe and accessible clinical environment Demonstrate cultural sensitivity Identify possible stressors and supports in the workplace using models such as the Job Demands-Resources Model
2. Support and Accommodations: Because people with disabilities have historically faced discrimination and social stigma, support and self-advocacy are essential to improving access. Counselors should understand their clients’ legal rights and protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. They can also provide clients with the resources and skills they need to advocate for themselves in the workplace. For example, counselors can help clients learn how to assert and communicate their need for accommodations to employers. They can also educate clients about the Job Accommodations Network, a free online resource that provides employers and employees with information and tools about appropriate workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Rehabilitation counselors who specialize in disability and employment can also provide expertise on disability rights, support, and communication with employers.
3. Provide coping strategies and stress management: People with disabilities often report high stress levels, especially related to stress in the workplace. Using a collaborative counseling approach, professionals can help clients identify specific stressors related to their disability or chronic symptoms at work. Professionals can then work together to develop coping strategies and stress management techniques tailored to the individual’s needs.
Introducing mindfulness and relaxation exercises and offering psychoeducation about stress and how to cope can also be helpful. Recognising the importance of counselling and providing a safe place to discuss sources of stress and get support can also significantly increase well-being.
4. Encourage clients to build social support networks: Social support is essential to improving well-being at work for individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Inclusion in the workplace fosters a supportive environment, so counselors can encourage clients to connect with colleagues who have similar experiences. Clients can also find support networks outside of the workplace through family, friends, and community services.
During sessions, counselors can use role-playing exercises to help individuals deal with common situations in the workplace, or help clients identify trusted allies in the workplace and potential peer support programs or mentorship initiatives.
5. Identify obstacles to career development and growth: Counsellors should work with clients to identify and address obstacles to career advancement. This includes:
Evaluate your client’s career trajectory
Identify your strengths, skills and areas for growth Discuss your past achievements and experiences to gain insight into your career preferences and aspirations Help you create a career development plan that will increase your job security and overall well-being
Counselors play a key role in enhancing the well-being and success of workers with chronic illnesses and disabilities in the workplace. By understanding individual needs, advocating for accommodations, teaching coping strategies, fostering social support, and facilitating career growth, counselors can help their clients succeed professionally and live fulfilling lives.
Key Takeaways
Each person’s experience is unique. Support can help improve access for people with disabilities. Counselors can help clients develop coping strategies and stress management techniques to deal with workplace stress. Inclusion in the workplace fosters a supportive environment. Career development planning can increase job stability and overall well-being.
Dr. Taryn Richardson is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Her research and work focuses on developing professional identity and leadership in counseling students and professionals, promoting workplace well-being, and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.