How to Become a Disabilities Consultant

A disabilities consultant helps guide disabled people toward a fuller lifestyle.

Disabilities consultants provide a wide range of services for the physically and mentally challenged community, including assisting with housing, education and transportation. Becoming a disabilities consulting specialist requires extensive education, an applicable bachelor's -- if not master's -- degree, the knowledge and ability to work with people and groups of all types, and the willingness to work long hours and travel extensively. A disabilities consultant often works as an advocate for a particular disability, such as the blind, paraplegics, learning disabled or mentally challenged.

Instructions

1. Attend a four-year university, majoring in an area such as disabilities consulting, disabilities teacher, social work, special education or learning disabilities specialist. Find a program that offers a particular niche in the disabilities consulting field most interesting to you. For example, you might be drawn to working in a consulting position with the hearing-disabled community, so deaf education may be the right major for you.

2. Take courses outside of your major, which will be beneficial to you in your future career. Explore business classes, public speaking, healthcare management, insurance, interpreting, public relations and psychology. Tailor your education toward the particular niche in disabilities consulting in which you desire to be employed. Talk with a guidance counselor prior to enrolling in a particular program and individual courses.

3. Work as an intern for a disabilities consulting agency while you are still going to school if possible. This way you can learn the ins and outs of the career while you are preparing for a full-time position. Consult an internship in an associated field if there is not an opportunity in the exact position. Consider interning at a health care facility or special education school if one of these fits well with your future plans.

4. Develop a cover letter and curriculum vitae, which can help you gain a position in your chosen aspect of disabilities consulting. Stress your educational background, internships and other work experiences. Include information regarding associations you belong to, such as community groups that advocate for the disabled. List any special skills, such as sign language fluency, foreign languages you speak, medical expertise or data analysis.

5. Schedule appointments to meet with human resource managers or other hiring specialists within organizations in which you would like to work. Ask for an interview to learn more about the company, present your curriculum vitae, discuss abilities and experiences and talk about your career goals. Be professional and personal. Dress well, shake hands and make eye contact. Follow up after a week if you do not hear back from the interviewer.

6. Take a position in a role similar to one in disabilities consulting if you do not find your ideal position initially. Often, you must work your way up in an organization to a consulting job. Consider a job in an adjunct position if you are able to obtain one. Remember to use all work experiences as learning opportunities and steps on your career path.

Tips & Warnings

• Volunteer your time and labor to community initiatives, which serve disabled communities. Network with other professionals and gain valuable insight into the world in which you work or plan to work.

• Take every opportunity available to speak persuasively in front of groups of people. According to the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, disabilities consultants need to be skilled in this type of large group communication.

References

• Iowa Department of Administrative Services: Disabilities Consultant