Disability Specialist Job Description

A Career in Disability Specialists

A disability specialist is responsible for reviewing disability documentation to determine eligibility, maintaining and reviewing current cases, providing support and problem-solving assistance, helping people understand their disabilities and delivering formal training to staff. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws regarding access for people with disabilities, experience working with people with disabilities, and knowledge of the principles and practices of technical, medical and psychological evaluations of people with disabilities are some of the things that disability specialists should have. You need a bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling or social work counseling to become a disability specialist.

Some employers will require a master's degree in counseling, psychology, special education, social work counseling or education, and at least two years experience working with people with disabilities. A disability specialist's salary can range from $42,500 to $73,000. The salaries of employees are determined by the size of the company, the industry, and the individual.

Bachelor's Degree in Disability Case Management

Disability case management is a specialized field in healthcare services that focuses on assessing disabled individuals for services in order to address physical and mental health needs. The case management process is done in a team and the case manager is only one part. The primary areas of focus for disability case management are facilitating communication between stakeholders, advocating on behalf of disabled clients, assessing and reviewing clients' needs, and identifying appropriate interventions that promote a greater level of functioning for clients.

Helping clients achieve their highest level of functioning is beneficial for everyone, including the client, service providers, the healthcare and insurance systems, and society as a whole. Disability case management ensures the optimal level of independence for disabled individuals by increasing clients' level of functioning, autonomy, and capabilities, and also ensures timely application of services in a fiscally responsible manner. Disability case managers are usually in a healthcare setting and are responsible for managing care services for disabled clients.

Disability case managers work with clients to identify goals for improvement, which may include improved physical, mental, emotional, or Vocational functioning. A disability case manager is supposed to help disabled individuals get the services they need in order to achieve their goals, as well as provide assistance in procuring the services they need by acting on behalf of the disabled individual. In order to provide the best services possible, disability case managers interview clients, review their health records, and speak with medical and mental health professionals in order to develop a picture of their client's needs.

Once a determination has been made as to the type and level of services required, the appropriate care providers are contacted by the disability case managers. A child with a disability might need specialized services in order to attain the highest quality of life possible. Disability case managers are responsible for making that happen.

Disability case managers are charged with continually reviewing the care received to ensure the level of care is appropriate. When a client is not functioning at their best, the case managers adjust the care plan to better address the client's needs. If an elderly client sustains a hip injury, the disability case manager would make a new assessment of the client's needs and add physical therapy or more robust nursing assistance to address the client's physical needs.

Talking with a Doctor about Referrals for People With Disabilities

Many people with disabilities and those who care for them may not have easy daily lives. The family is affected by disabilities. Meeting the needs of a person with a disability can put families under a lot of stress.

Finding resources, knowing what to expect, and planning for the future can greatly improve the quality of life. It might be helpful to talk with other people who have similar experiences if you have a disability or care for someone who does. People with a disability can use psychologists, social workers, and counselors to help them deal with the challenges of living.

Special Education Teachers and Learning Disabilities Specialists

Special education teachers are those who work with disabled students at the primary and middle-school level. Learning disabilities specialists are those who work with students with disabilities at the secondary and post-secondary level. The education and experience requirements are the same for both positions, but the post-secondary learning disability specialist may come from a social work or rehabilitation counseling background.

Disability learning specialists spend a lot of time with students to document their disabilities. Thorough documentation of an individual's disabilities is important to assure access to all necessary support services. Some students with documented disabilities come in and need assistance navigating the process, while others are new to the system and need assistance.

Disability specialists help students with medical support. Learning disabilities specialists are responsible for coordinating services for disabled students. Students with disabilities need to be made aware of their rights and the specialists who work with them make sure they receive the support they need.

Qualifications in Disability Specialist Practice

Disability specialists help people with disabilities understand what benefits they are eligible for and guide them through the process of getting those benefits. They work in a variety of industries. Disability specialists can determine if there are additional accommodations that need to be made for a disabled employee, such as wheelchair accessibility or training fellow employees on how to be aware of their disabled co-workers.

They can set up follow-up appointments for medical or psychological evaluations to make sure their client is getting all the services they need. The disability specialist's job duties can vary. If you want to work in the area in which you want to work, you need to have a disability specialist qualification.

Communication skills are needed if you want to act as an advocate for people with disabilities. You need to negotiate on behalf of a client to ensure that they get the accommodations that they need in their job, school, or home. Most employers prefer applicants with a degree.