Welcome to the students with disabilities affinity community page!
As a student with a visible or invisible disability, you may have additional questions as you think about entering the workplace. The goal of this web page is to help students with disabilities enhance their knowledge about laws and available resources, and to develop skills to highlight the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.
This web page is designed to be open to all Binghamton University students, faculty and staff regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law.
Your career and professional development support system
The Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) have partnered through the Pathways to Inclusion Program, a SUNY-led initiative focused on advancing career development and disability inclusion, to tailor this affinity community page. Our offices continue to collaborate to expand access to career resources, employer connections, and support that empowers students with disabilities to explore career paths, develop skills, and transition successfully into the workforce.
Advocacy/guidance in navigating the campus environment
Referrals to additional resources
Understanding accommodations
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability just as other civil rights laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADA guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to enjoy employment opportunities, purchase goods and services, and participate in state and local government programs.
A person with a disability is someone who:
has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,
has a history or record of such an impairment (such as cancer that is in remission), or
is perceived by others as having such an impairment (such as a person who has scars from a severe burn).
If a person falls into any of these categories, the ADA protects them.
Section of the ADA: Title II, Subtitle A
Applies to: all services, programs, and activities of state and local governments. Including SUNY schools like Binghamton University.
General requirement: State and local governments must provide people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all of their programs, services, and activities.
The ADA contains specific requirements for state and local governments to ensure equal access for people with disabilities.
Section of the ADA: Title I
Applies to: employers that have 15 or more employees, including state/local governments, employment agencies, and labor unions.
General requirement: Employers must provide people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the employment-related opportunities available to others. This includes things like recruitment, hiring, promotions, training, pay, and social activities.
Navigating your career journey can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure where to begin. This section is designed to help you take that first step with confidence. Whether you’re exploring career options, searching for internships or jobs, or thinking about how to talk about your disability in a professional setting, we’ve gathered some key resources to support you. Start with an overview of the career exploration process, explore top tools for guidance, and check out job boards specifically for job seekers with disabilities.
The Fleishman Center has developed ThePath to Career Confidence and Clarity to help students identify what stage of the career journey they’re in. It’s a simple four-step journey all about helping you go from understanding yourself to making confident career decisions. We’ve designed it to help you explore your options with purpose and reflect on what you learn along the way. If you’re unsure which stage you’re in or need help developing a plan, make an appointment with the Fleishman Center! It can be helpful to talk to a career consultant in person or on Zoom!
This is the first and most important step in figuring out your career path. Before you can connect with different jobs, you need to understand who you are. This means thinking about your interests, what’s important to you (your values), what you’re good at (your skills), and what drives you.
Ask yourself:
What truly gets you excited?
When do you feel like you’re doing your best work?
How do your personal values guide your choices?
What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them?
Now that you know more about yourself, it’s time to connect that knowledge with different career paths. This will help you find careers that bring you confidence and clarity. Our goal is to help you narrow down your interests to a few areas by doing some focused research.
Ask yourself:
What do I already know about different job opportunities?
Have I explored a variety of options, or just a few?
Am I ready to do some research to find facts that will help me make good decisions?
If you’re at this stage, you’re ready to explore and take action! Getting hands-on experience is key. Take the career areas you’re interested in and find ways to get involved.
Here are some ideas:
Internships
Job shadowing (following someone at their job for a day)
Volunteering in your community
Getting involved with campus clubs or activities
Studying abroad
Doing research
Think about: What kind of experience makes the most sense for the area you want to explore?
You’ve gained valuable experience and are closer to feeling confident and clear about your career! Now it’s time to get more experience, improve your skills, and grow your network.
Think about:
What events or opportunities can help you connect with more people in your field?
What experiences or skills are you missing?
We’ve compiled a list of 5 top resources to support your career journey. Click each box below to learn more about the resource. See the resources section for a more comprehensive list.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues. Serving customers across the United States and around the world for more than 40 years, JAN provides free one-on-one practical guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities.
For over forty years, National Organization on Disability (NOD) has fought to create a more inclusive and equitable society where people with and without disabilities have equal opportunity to find work, earn a fair wage, and advance in their career. Through our proprietary tools and resources, data analysis, hands-on support, and thought leadership, we have achieved real change and positively impacted millions.
The American Association of People with Disabilities works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities.
As a national disability-led and cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for over 70 million Americans with disabilities. We do this by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation.
Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Our network of over 500 corporations expands opportunities for people with disabilities across enterprises. Our central office and 18 Affiliates serve as the collective voice to effect change for people with disabilities in business.
Neurodiversity Network is a website of resources for neurodivergent job seekers and students, employers & universities, & the community. Our mission is to consolidate various neurodiversity resources into one place. The goal is to share resources that help enhance neurodiversity awareness and acceptance for neurodivergents to find meaningful employment and positive educational experiences.
Below are 5 job boards highlighting roles actively recruiting for students with disabilities. Click each box below to learn more about the job board. See the resources section for additional job boards.
Lime Connect is a global 501(c)(3) not for profit that’s rebranding disability through achievement. We are focused on attracting, preparing, and connecting high-achieving professionals and university students – including veterans – who have all types of disabilities with rewarding professional opportunities. Individuals who join the Lime Network are eligible to apply for scholarships, leadership programs, internship, co-op and full-time positions with the world’s leading corporations – our partners.
Ability Jobs is a leading career website for job seekers with disabilities. Post a resume, or search for employment opportunities. Disabled talent is in high demand. abilityJOBS has thousands of great positions posted by employers who are preapproved and committed to hiring people with disabilities.
AbilityLinks is a United States nonprofit organization that connects people with disabilities and Veterans to meaningful jobs, helping employers build more inclusive workplaces.
Mentra helps job-ready candidates find roles that align with their strengths and for professionals looking to up-skill or learn more about certain verticals, Mentra provides extensive learning modules and programs with partner employers.
If you are looking for an opportunity to dedicate your summer to independent research, scholarship, or a creative project, the Summer Scholars and Artists Program might be just what you need. Supported by the Office of External Scholarships and Undergraduate …
The Fleishman Center is proud to feature and highlight the amazing story of Binghamton University alumna Haley Motola, current Epidemiologist, as she shares her journey and reflects on navigating college and the workforce while living with a disability. Haley shares …
By Tiffany Soto
Tiffany SotoSenior Career Equity Initiatives Specialist
Meet Janmariz Deguia (they/them), a dynamic leader and advocate whose work centers on disability justice, mental health, and inclusive education. As President of the Disability Student Union at Binghamton University, Janmariz has been instrumental in creating spaces that empower and …
Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Our network of over 500 corporations expands opportunities for …
