Loss of mobility is one of the most terrible outcomes of a return to work accident or injury. In many cases, a person has to use a wheelchair for a few weeks, months, years, or even their entire lifetime. This situation is enough to make someone feel worthless and think that they can’t ever do a job. However, one should not be disappointed as a large proportion of wheelchair users can reintegrate into the workplace today. The wheelchair won’t stop you if you don’t let it. Here are some useful tips regarding how to return to work for wheelchair users.

• Make Up Your Mind

The first thing you need to do is make up your mind regarding rejoining the workforce. Half the battle is usually won when people are determined, focused, and decide they intend to stick to in the long run. It also helps them to be prepared for challenges and conquer them all. 

• Reassess Your Abilities

The next thing on the list is to reassess your abilities and skills needed for a job. It is advised to undergo a transferrable skills analysis assessment to figure out which skills you possess that can help you in your future job and which are the in-demand skills that you need to learn or re-learn before you even think of returning to work. 

• Remember the Restrictions

Using a wheelchair often means having some mobility or other restrictions. So, you should accept them and move on. Don’t ignore them or take unnecessary risks like signing up for a job that requires you to stand often if you can’t manage that easily. 

• Talk to an Occupational Therapist

It is also smart to talk to an occupational therapist and get tested to know how much you have recovered and still need to recover. They will give you an accurate assessment after conducting several tests and examinations. 

• Talk to Your Family

When making a big life decision like returning to work after a workplace accident or injury, you need to talk to your family. You should know that the phase of your accident and recovery might have taken a toll on them, and they might not be willing to let you get back to work again. If you do it without their consent, it might impact your personal life. Informing the family is also essential because you might need their assistance, like your spouse might need to drop you off and pick you up from work if you can’t do it yourself. 

• Consider Going Back to the Previous Employer

Make the return to work journey easier and smoother by considering going back to your previous employer or job if it’s available. If the wheelchair doesn’t impact your previous job (like you were an online writer), your chances of getting back your job will be higher, especially if you have reported everything to the employer. In contrast, if a wheelchair means you can’t do your job (like housekeeping work), you might have no choice but to seek another job. 

1. Finding New Work is an Option 

If you can’t return to work with your previous employer for reasons like you can’t handle the workload, the employer is offering less pay, the employer is not offering modified work, or you have been replaced, you need to look for new work opportunities at other organizations. If you are in a wheelchair, look at jobs posted by employers who use the ‘positive about disabled people’ symbol, as they are more likely to hire people in a wheelchair. 

• Don’t be Disheartened at Interviews

When you are restricted to a wheelchair and have to appear for interviews, you will come across other candidates who have no such restrictions. Some of the candidates or interviewers might also be curious about your disability. You should not be dishearten or feel sad or disappointed due to such instances. 

1. Talk About Adaptations – 

Whether you are returning to work with your previous organization or joining a new one, you need to ensure that you talk about adaptations to make everything accessible for you. For instance, you can talk about wheelchair-accessible parking, workstations, and toilets so that you don’t need any help moving around every day and being independent. You can also talk about work modifications if any are applicable. 

• Consider Assistive Devices

If your disability can get in the way of your work, you should also consider using assistive devices that make things easier. For instance, in addition to a wheelchair, you can also use a crutch so that you can get up and sit back on the wheelchair without assistance. 

1. Consider Self Employment

If you cannot find a job that suits you or think commuting to and from an office might not be the right choice, you can consider self-employment. You can learn scores of skills by sitting in one place and mastering them enough to make a decent income. Thanks to COVID-19, work from home and freelancing is more popular than ever. You can cash in on that opportunity and be self-employed. 

1. Make a Plan

When you return to work, it is essential to sit down with your employer (or alone if you are self-employed) and plan how and when you will return to work. Don’t take on too many responsibilities from day one. Instead, ease into the work and slowly increase the pace while keeping your health a top priority. 

1. Liaise with Essential People

It is also essential to liaise regularly with your doctors, employer/team, and your return to work counselor to share your progress. They will help you if you think things are getting out of control. They will help eliminate all doubts and ensure that you stay on the path of recovery. Remember, any job is not worth more than your health and well-being. 

Need Professional Help? Contact Laura M. Wilson & Associates Inc. 

If you need more help regarding how to return as a wheelchair user, then you can connect with the team of Laura M. Wilson & Associates Inc. We help you return to work with your previous employer when you are ready or help you get a job you will love in an organization that will value you. We also offer constant support until you learn to thrive in your new job. 

We provide a wide array of services such as SJDB Service, RTWSP Service, Expert Witness, Vocational Evaluation, Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Services, and Transferable Skills Analysis. Our vocational rehabilitation counselors will decide which services are right for you and offer a solution that helps you return to work and retain your job. To know more about how we can help, book an appointment here or call us toll-free on (800) 531-5608.