Resources for Neurodiverse Students
As you navigate the college to work transition, this resource from the National Association of Colleges and Employers can help you create an action plan. You can also take a look at our Disclosing a Disability resource for tips and strategies on how to disclose a disability.
Companies with Neurodiversity Hiring Initiatives:
- https://www.specialisterneusa.com/
- https://jobs.dell.com/neurodiversity
- JAN – Job Accommodation Network: JAN has a variety of resources for students with disabilities including ideas of accommodations to request and a guide on how to request and negotiate accommodations
- Workforce Recruitment Program – https://www.wrp.gov/wrp. You can also view our resources on WRP: https://careers.wgu.edu/resources/workforce-recruitment-program-wrp/
- The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private-sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.
- LimeConnect: LimeConnect attracts, prepares, and connects high potential university students and professionals – including veterans – who happen to have all types of disabilities for scholarships, internships, The Lime Connect Fellowship Program, and full-time careers with our corporate partners – the world’s leading corporations.
- AbilityLinks: A web-based program that connects a dynamic talent pool of self-identified applicants with disabilities to a network of employers that value disability inclusion
- AbilityJOBS: A career website dedicated to employment of people with disabilities. Host of the largest resume bank with tens of thousands of job seekers with disabilities, from entry level candidates to PhD.
Career Development Resources for Students with Mental Health Conditions
- Mental Health America— Great information and resources related to working with a mental health condition.
- American Association of People with Disabilities—Largest national non-profit disability membership organization in the United States focusing on economic self-sufficiency and political empowerment for all disabled Americans.
- Vocational Rehabilitation—A U.S. Department of Education funded program that provides services and assistance to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain a job. This site also includes information on the Ticket to Work Program (TTW) which helps people who receive Social Security due to a disability find work to keep their health coverage, as well as information on Veterans ReEmployment, which helps veterans with disabilities with employment.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)—Includes tips on disclosure of a mental health condition, tips for requesting accommodations, information on facing discrimination in the workplace.
- National Telecommuting Institute—A site that list work-from-home jobs for people with disabilities.
- Getting Hired—A job searching site geared towards professionals with disabilities; focus on veterans.
Articles:
- Job Searching with a Mental Health Condition—Includes tips on emphasizing strengths and the interview process.
- Finding a Job with a Mental Health Condition—Practical tips and resources, as well as suggested positions, for people with mental health conditions.
- Job Hunting Tips for People with Anxiety—Article from Psychology Today that discuses key factors to consider when facing anxiety during the job search.
- 10 Ways to Calm Your Interview Anxiety—Article from Psychology Today that lists excellent strategies to decrease anxiety before and during interviews.
- An Anxious Person’s Guide to Interviewing for a Job—More excellent tips on calming anxiety during the job search.
- How to Deal With Job-Search Depression—A New York Times article which highlights key ways to work with feelings of depression related to the job search.
- 10 Tips for Job Searching When You Also Have Depression—Practical tips to work with depression and the job search.
Educational Resources:
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Titles I and V: Contains specific information on employment discrimination laws.
- The Complete Guide to Social Security Disability Benefits: A guide to help figure out how much in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are you eligible to receive?
- Office of Disability Employment Policy: Provides articles and resources on national leadership focused on disability and employment policy. Disclosing a Disability is their guide to learning the Why, When, What, and How of disclosing (or not disclosing) your disability.
Professional Organizations and Associations
Professional associations are a valuable resource for networking and professional development. Many of these organizations also offer discounted student memberships, allowing students to participate at a fraction of the cost of a professional membership. Some of these memberships allow participation in speaker events (such as webinars) and job fairs.