How Do I Get a Job as an ADA Advocate?

The ADA National Network ensures that an individual's rights are respected.

The ADA National Network was created to provide information, guidance and training about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It safeguards an individual's civil rights against discrimination by providing equal access and opportunity. One of the most important jobs in this network is an advocate. As an advocate, you are tasked with the responsibility of informing the public of ADA. You can become an ADA advocate under the requirements placed by your state.

Instructions

1. Discover your motivation behind this career move. Understand this can be very challenging and will require a lot of time and effort. If accepted, the job will demand a lot of you. Consider how this career might impact your life.

2. Research the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This will form the backbone of your advocacy and you must be very familiar with it. There are many organizations that provide information and training.

3. Make a list of ADA training agencies and contact them. Ascertain the requirements to be eligible for training. Ask about any fees. If the training is free, it will often require participants to volunteer additional time. Record the different training schedules and how many hours each program will take to complete.

4. Tailor your resume to include all work and education related to disability, counseling and social services. Make sure all information is current and free of typographical errors. Some training agencies may conduct interviews where you can get a better sense of the training experience as well as advocacy in general.

Tips & Warnings

• Being an ADA advocate is no easy task. Expect a lot of information to absorb and material to go through. Don't hesitate to ask questions.

• Many training programs only allow a set number of absences, if any. Ask about this and be mindful.

References

• ADA National Network