Temporary Work

If you have a disability and are currently looking for work, you might consider temporary work. Traditionally, the way this works is you register with a “Temp” service. When they get a call for someone with your skills and background, the Temp service calls you or whoever else in their inventory has those skills. You get paid by the Temp service to work for the business seeking a Temp. You may be called to work for one day or six months depending on what the business needs.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Employment services ranks among the industries projected to grow the fastest and to provide the most new jobs.
Most temporary jobs in this industry require only graduation from high school, while some permanent jobs may require a bachelor’s or higher degree.
Temporary jobs provide an entry into the workforce, supplemental income, and a bridge to full-time employment for many workers.

There are several advantages to working for a Temp service. First, you can earn money while waiting for that full-time job you are seeking. Second, you can see how you like that kind of work before making a long-term commitment. Third, you can keep your job skills sharp and possibly even learn more job skills. Fourth, temp jobs sometimes turn into full-time employment. If you prove your worth while working the temp job, it is likely the position will be offered to you when the position is officially established. There is one more advantage – in a job interview you may be asked what you did between the time you finished school, job training, or previous job and the interview. If you say you worked for a Temp service this sounds much better than “Oh just waited for the right job to come along.”

The downside to working for Temp services is you don’t get benefits that full-time employees get. This may not be a problem if you already have some sort of medical insurance.

There are numerous Temp services organizations. Some of the oldest are Kelly Services and Manpower. I doubt though that they would hire you if you need reasonable accommodations. If you need assistive technology or service, it still is not clear who is responsible to pay for it, the Temp service or the business using the Temp service. In any event, you must disclose your disability before getting hired to legally require some business to provide that accommodation.

If you want part-time work that is called volunteering, except you get paid, you may want to try Americorps http://www.americorps.org/ Some of the work they do involves:
Tutoring and mentoring disadvantaged youth
Fighting illiteracy
Improving health services
Building affordable housing
Teaching computer skills
Cleaning parks and streams
Managing or operating after-school programs

If you prefer to work for an agency that serves people with disabilities, you may want to pay a visit to your favorite non-profit and ask them if they would consider networking with Americorps to create a position. These positions are usually six months in duration but may have the possibility of being renewed. Disclaimer – I learned that from an Americorps worker but haven’t substantiated it.

Full-time members who complete their service earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans. Members who serve part-time receive a partial Award. Some AmeriCorps members may also receive a modest living allowance during their term of service.

Goodwill http://www.goodwill.org/page/guest/about could be another great source for temporary work. Check to see if the Goodwill in your area provides temporary job placement services. You may even consider working for Goodwill at their stores. They are already accustomed to working with people with disabilities.

There are other ways to find temporary work. I called several non-profits and told them I was looking for temporary work. After becoming acquainted with me they would send me jobs. Some were for one day, others for a longer duration. I have written a number of grant proposals in my time so it was not surprising I was offered work to evaluate grant proposals.

If you have a hobby or do work for yourself – put it out there; someone may just knock on your door offering to pay you. As an example, I created a music video and gave a copy to a well know organization that works with people with disabilities. They, in turn, shared it with another organization who liked it so much, they offered me a video editing job. In fact, as I think about it, I’ve already received money from six sources this year, in part, because I used shameless self-promotion to let others know of my talents and abilities. All jobs, except for one, were of very short duration – temporary – but that worked out great for me.

About the author

Gene Rodgers Photo Gene Rodgers has been a quadriplegic since age 17. Since then he has earned several college degrees, worked in several states, earned a Switzer Fellowship, and now works as a private contractor.

Do you have a question about employment and disability? Send your question to grodgers@austin.rr.com and put “DLRP JOBS” in the subject line.