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Employment After Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
After a spinal cord injury (SCI), you may wonder if you’ll be able to find a job or work again. In fact, people with spinal cord injuries can and do return to work. You may be able to keep the job you had before. Or you may need to consider other choices. This includes changing fields, getting more education or job training, or learning new skills. No matter what your situation is, there are choices for you. Read on to learn more.
Consider your choices
When thinking about your job choices, consider doing the following:
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If you currently have a job, meet with your employer:
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Reevaluate your strengths:
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Previous work experience
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Education
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Skills and abilities
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Research education and training opportunities:
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Look at alternatives:
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Changing careers
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Volunteer work
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Get support:
Use vocational rehabilitation programs
Vocational rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with SCI or other disabilities find work. A trained counselor can:
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Assess your skills, interests, and abilities
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Help you set realistic job goals
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Help you with job training, education, job placement, and changes at your workplace
Ask your healthcare team to help you learn more about the services in your area. Or contact local or state services. Look online or in a phone book to find a program near you.
Other ways to find work
You can also try other ways to find a job. These include:
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Telling family and friends that you’re looking for a job
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Looking at job listings online
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Getting help through local job agencies
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Using resources at your public library
Disability benefits
If you can’t work, you may qualify for disability benefits. Even if you start working, you may be eligible for some benefits. Assistance from other federal or state programs may also be choices. Ask your healthcare team to tell you more about this.
Know your rights: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is a law that helps protect your job rights. It makes it illegal for an employer to deny you a job based on your disability. It also allows you to ask for reasonable changes to be made in your workplace to support you in doing your job.
Online Medical Reviewer:
Anne Fetterman RN BSN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Joseph Campellone MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
Date Last Reviewed:
8/1/2022
© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.