People with disabilities represent one of the largest and most underutilized talent pools in the modern workforce.¹ ² ³ In the United States, the employment‑to‑population ratio for working‑age adults with disabilities reached near‑record levels in late 2025, yet remains far below the rate for non‑disabled workers.¹ ² ³ This gap reflects persistent barriers: hiring bias, inaccessible workplaces, lack of accommodations, and misunderstanding from employers.¹ ² ³

Despite these challenges, employment success is possible with the right strategy, tools, legal knowledge, and support systems. This guide is designed to help people with disabilities:

• Write a strong, competitive resume

• Use resume tools like MobileCV.ai to save time

• Navigate job applications confidently

• Decide whether and when to disclose a disability

• Explain employment gaps professionally

• Find disability‑friendly employers

• Understand ADA protections and employment laws

• Request workplace accommodations effectively

• Handle discrimination or harassment

• Discover job boards, hiring programs, training initiatives, and career resources

• Build long‑term career confidence and stability

1. Resume Writing for People With Disabilities

How to build a resume that highlights ability, not limitation

A disability does not change the fundamentals of a strong resume. Employers still look for:

• Relevant skills

• Job‑specific experience

• Problem‑solving ability

• Reliability and performance

• Measurable achievements

Your resume should always focus on value, contribution, and results — never on medical details or personal limitations.¹ ² ³

Core resume principles

A strong resume should be:

• Clear

• Concise

• Easy to scan

• Relevant to the job

• Focused on achievements

• Formatted for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)

These principles apply equally to disabled and non‑disabled job seekers, but they are especially important when competing against bias or assumptions about capability.¹ ² ³

2. Use a Resume Builder to Simplify the Process

Why MobileCV.ai is ideal for disabled job seekers

Formatting resumes manually can be time‑consuming, stressful, and physically difficult — especially for people managing fatigue, mobility challenges, neurodivergence, or cognitive overload.¹ ² ³

A resume builder like MobileCV.ai helps remove friction by allowing users to:

• Upload PDFs, Word files, screenshots, photos, or raw text

• Convert messy documents into clean, ATS‑ready resumes

• Automatically structure experience and skills

• Avoid layout and spacing issues

• Edit quickly instead of rebuilding from scratch

This is especially useful if you:

• Haven’t updated your resume in years

• Are returning to work after illness or recovery

• Struggle with formatting or organization

• Want to save time and reduce stress

MobileCV.ai Resume Tools

• Resume Builder: https://mobilecv.ai/resume-builder

• Convert Old Resume to New Format: https://mobilecv.ai/convert

• Edit & Improve Existing CV: https://mobilecv.ai/editor

• Cover Letter Generator: https://mobilecv.ai/cover-letter

3. Keep Your Resume Simple, Clear, and Easy to Read

Hiring managers often scan resumes in under 10 seconds before deciding whether to read further.¹ ² ³

Best practices

• Keep your resume 1 page when possible (2 pages if you have 10+ years of experience).¹

• Use bullet points instead of paragraphs.¹

• Use simple, direct language; avoid jargon unless it matches the job description.¹

• Avoid decorative fonts or crowded layouts; stick to ATS‑safe fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman.¹ ²

• Leave white space so it’s easy on the eyes.¹

• Avoid unnecessary personal details such as age, marital status, or unrelated hobbies.¹

Good formatting example

Instead of:

Responsible for customer support duties and assisting customers with their issues

Use:

Resolved 50+ customer requests weekly with a 95% satisfaction rate¹ ²

4. Highlight Skills That Match the Job

Employers prefer candidates who already understand the tools, software, or workflows needed for the role.¹ ² ³

Include relevant skills such as:

• Software (Excel, Photoshop, CRM tools, coding languages)

• Assistive technology experience

• Industry‑specific equipment

• Communication and customer service

• Project management

• Languages

Recommended skills sections

If applying for technical roles, place skills near the top. Example categories:

• Technical Skills

• Software & Tools

• Office Skills

• Languages

• Customer Support

• Hardware or Machinery

This structure helps both ATS and human readers quickly see your fit for the role.¹ ²

5. Use Numbers to Show Impact

Avoid listing only job duties. Focus on measurable results.¹ ² ³

Strong impact examples

• Increased sales by 28%

• Reduced processing time by 40%

• Handled 500+ customer inquiries per month

• Managed a team of 7 staff members

• Saved company $18,000 annually

If metrics are hard to find

Use qualitative proof:

• Client feedback

• Manager praise

• Awards

• Performance recognition

These still demonstrate value, even without exact numbers.¹ ²

6. Write a Cover Letter to Support Your Resume

A cover letter gives you space to:

• Explain career changes

• Address employment gaps

• Express motivation

• Highlight transferable skills

• Add context to your experience

The MobileCV.ai Cover Letter Tool can help generate tailored drafts quickly: https://mobilecv.ai/cover-letter

7. Disclosing a Disability: Should You Do It?

You are not legally required to disclose a disability on:

• Your resume

• Your job application

• Your LinkedIn profile

• Your interview

This applies to:

• Physical disabilities

• Mental health conditions

• Neurodivergence

• Chronic illnesses

• Invisible disabilities

Your first priority is securing an interview.¹ ² ³

When disclosure might be helpful

Some candidates choose to disclose after scheduling an interview if:

• They need accessibility accommodations

• They need remote or flexible arrangements

• They want to explain work modifications

Good disclosure focus

When you do disclose, emphasize:

• What you need to perform well

• How accommodations support productivity

• Your ability, not your limitation

Expert insight on accommodations

Many accommodations are simple and low‑cost, such as:

• Ergonomic keyboards

• Screen readers

• Flexible work hours

• Noise‑reduction headphones

• Adjustable desks

• Remote work options

Small changes can dramatically improve performance and retention.¹ ² ³

8. Explaining Employment Gaps on a Resume

Disabled workers may have gaps due to:

• Medical recovery

• Burnout

• Caregiving

• Training or education

• Accessibility barriers

You do NOT need to share medical details.¹ ² ³

Neutral gap labels

• Illness and Recovery

• Personal Health Leave

• Career Rebuilding Period

• Professional Development Break

This keeps your resume honest without oversharing.¹ ²

9. Resume Example for a Disabled Worker (Expanded)

Paul Brewer — Senior Paralegal
Jacksonville, FL
Email | Phone

Professional Summary
Experienced paralegal with over 10 years supporting litigation teams, conducting legal research, managing case documentation, and assisting attorneys with trial preparation. Known for strong organization, accuracy, and client communication.

Work Experience

Paralegal — Morgan & Morgan
2017–Present

• Supported 5 attorneys with legal research and trial preparation

• Used LexisNexis for case law research

• Coordinated witness scheduling and legal filings

• Reduced document errors by 40% through improved review workflows

Illness and Recovery
2015–2017

Legal Assistant — Time Warner
2008–2015

• Managed legal correspondence

• Updated internal case databases

• Reduced administrative costs by 20%

Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies — Georgia State University

Skills
Legal Research - LexisNexis - Microsoft Office - Client Relations - HoudiniEsq

10. Building Job‑Seeking Skills as a Person With a Disability

Job searching can be more complex when factoring in:

• Workplace accessibility

• Commute challenges

• Remote or hybrid needs

• Health stability

• Salary and benefits security

Career support programs

• American Job Centers

  • https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/AmericanJobCenters

  • Career coaching, training, and job matching

• Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

  • https://rsa.ed.gov/about/states

  • State‑based disability employment support

• Centers for Independent Living

  • https://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory

  • Peer support, advocacy, and independent‑living training

These programs can help you refine resumes, practice interviews, access training, and connect with disability‑friendly employers.¹ ² ³

11. Legal Protections and Workplace Rights

In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations in most workplaces.¹ ² ³ Similar protections exist in many other countries under national disability‑rights or equality laws.¹ ²

Key rights

• You cannot be denied a job solely because of a disability if you can perform essential functions with or without accommodation.¹ ²

• Employers must provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so would cause “undue hardship.”¹ ²

• You have the right to file a complaint if you experience discrimination or harassment.¹ ²

How to request accommodations

• Identify what you need to perform your job effectively.

• Submit a written request to HR or your supervisor, referencing your disability and the specific accommodation.

• Provide documentation from a healthcare provider if requested.

• Keep records of all communications.

12. Finding Disability‑Friendly Employers

Look for companies that:

• Have public diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or disability‑inclusion statements.¹ ²

• Participate in disability‑employment initiatives or hiring programs.¹ ²

• Offer remote or hybrid work options and flexible schedules.¹ ²

Resources such as the Disability Equality Index and disability‑focused job boards can help identify inclusive employers.¹ ² ³

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