Job-Hunting Tips for Adults With Disabilities

So, before you put your hat in the ring, dissect the job description carefully to figure out requirements beyond formal skills and certifications. The Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good resource for this task.

Have a hankering to become a senior massage therapist? The handbook's section on how to become one states that you may have to stay on your feet throughout appointments and will need "physical strength and dexterity."

5. Consider when — and if — to discuss your disability. "If you can do the job as described, without any work-arounds," says Joffe, "then ask yourself what makes you want to discuss your health condition and the limitations it puts on you." There may, in fact, be no reason to bring it up.

The Americans with Disabilities Act bars an employer from denying you a job just because you have a disability. To protect you, detailed rules say what the employer can and can't ask, and when — for instance, the employer can't ask disability-related questions or require medical exams until after you've been given a conditional job offer. You can find the full details on the ADA website.

Even if you have an obvious condition, most experts agree that disclosing a disability in a résumé or cover letter can work against you, at least in the initial stages when an employer is paring down a stack of applications. Your first objective is to get invited in for an interview to show what you have to offer.

If there's something physically noticeable or an issue such as accessibility for a wheelchair, consider letting your interviewer know in advance, after the meeting date is set.

That's the advice of Kate Williams, head of the Employment Immersion Program at LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco. You don't want surprises when you come through the door. "You want the hiring manager to look at your skills and your talents," she says. "You should be defined by your ability, not your disability."

6. Hone your interview performance. There's no reason you shouldn't discuss the proverbial elephant in the room if you're comfortable doing so. It gives you the power to make the case why, disability or not, you're the best person for the job.

If you'll need to handle certain duties differently than other employees, be sure you can easily explain any work-arounds and particular accommodations such as a special computer screen, desk or speech recognition software.

If there's a gap on your résumé due to a medical-related issue, be prepared to show how you continued building your skills through such activities as volunteer work or certification courses.

Before you come in, practice. Ask a friend or family member to sit down with you and hear your pitch.

In short, the best way for you to stand out is to demonstrate that you can do the job and are genuinely interested in the company and opportunity.

7. Adopt a chin-up attitude. "You have to get out of the 'I can't do it, I'm not capable' mentality," Williams advises. "If you don't project the belief that you can do the job, no one else will believe it."

Kerry Hannon is a career transition expert and an award-winning author. Her lastest book is Getting the Job You Want After 50 For Dummies. Follow her on Twitter @kerryhannon.