TRADE SCHOOL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

by Sarah Breckon

Professionally successful people living with a disability sometimes credit their impairment for boosting their career prospects, because it taught them perseverance and commitment. Others believe that their physical or cognitive differences in certain areas have led them to develop stronger abilities in other areas.

Consider a trade school as an opportunity to find the right career! Success at a trade school can lead to stable employment with higher-than-average earnings. It’s an attractive option for anyone. For someone with a disability, vocational or trade school training allows them to exhibit the talents and abilities they have, rather than those they don’t.

A trade school provides a structured learning environment, hands-on experience, and instruction from experts in the field. And like any accredited educational institution, trade schools are required to provide accommodations to level the playing field for students with disabilities. Consider these potential careers:

Physical Disabilities: Air traffic controller, computer programmer, paralegal

Visual Impairments: Massage Therapist, Medical Billing Specialist, Auto-Mechanic

Cognitive Disabilities: Electrician, Respiratory Therapist, HVAC Installer

Hearing Impairments: Lab Technician, Welder, Landscaper

When looking for a trade school, it’s important to shop around. Some have been known to mislead their students about job placement. You can ask how many students complete the program and what percentage who graduate find jobs soon after? Check the schools accreditation. Ask about technology used, meet the instructors, find out about any hidden fees for using equipment, etc.

If you would like to learn more, check out the Guide to Trade School for People with Disbilities at primeweld.com. It offers advice on what to look for in a trade school, challenges you may face, where to find resources and more!