Why Work?

For most adults, work is a major part of life.

Work helps us gain a sense of pride and self-satisfaction by reaffirming that we can support ourselves. With work, we earn money to cover bills and pay for activities in our leisure time.

But it’s not just about the paycheck. Work makes people happier. If you’re a person with a disability and are thinking about work, there is something you should know: People with disabilities who work are healthier and happier than people with disabilities who are unemployed.

Whether a job is paid or unpaid, people who work tend to:

• Meet people and expand their social networks. Work acts as a training opportunity to develop and improve social skills and develop friendly and supportive relationships. The support provided by co-workers can change someone’s life experience from one of isolation to one of feeling part of a community.
• Feel productive and valued knowing that they are making important contributions.
• Shape a personal identity.
• Build a solid foundation to advance their goals and their future.
• Develop new skills, both work and non-work related. For example, some individuals with disabilities become comfortable with traveling independently, once learning to travel to and from their job.

It’s not just about the paycheck.
Work makes people happier.

It’s becoming more common to see people with disabilities in a wide range of jobs throughout the community. Significant barriers to employment still exist, but progress is being made. Individuals with even the most severe disabilities have shown that they can be successful at work, changing their lives and changing the way people with disabilities are viewed in society.