Written by Ryan K. Litchfield, AC, CCC

Honoring the dignity and respect of how individuals with disabilities choose to decide to pursue their own means of employment is essential. Individuals with disabilities have a right to direct their own paths to the workforce. Whether one works for an employer, becomes a freelancer or independent contractor, pursues self-employment by starting a business, or even all of the above, it’s critical to acknowledge that pursuing vocational opportunities is no one linear approach.

Why the autonomous vocational pathway? One of the most important concepts we as a society need to understand is the emphasis on the word “autonomy”. Understanding “autonomy” begins with a foundation of knowing the individual in a holistic view. First and foremost, people are and always will be people. We need to acknowledge the fundamental truth that individuals with disabilities embrace humanity and part of embracing their humanity is acquiring experiences and strengths through activities, hobbies, interests, and passions that make these individuals wonderfully devoted ambassadors, contributors, and members of society. Once the individual is holistically understood for who they are and who they want to be, then the journey of discovery and exploration of the vocational pathway can commence.

Discovering and exploring the world of work is in itself a craft. Each and every single one of us day by day are acquiring experiences, wisdom, resources, and tools that help us to develop and grow personally and professionally. The same applies to an individual with a disability. We all acquire a set of differentiated skills, strengths, knowledge, and personalities to help us all understand how we operate and how we organize and plan to execute in various situations, hence it is logical to state that the autonomous vocational pathway is not entirely linear. We also have to learn what environments and situations work best for us. That means we need to greatly respect the preferences and needs of the individual with a disability. We need to acknowledge that the individual with a disability might need some help and support whether they need an accommodation, adaptive equipment, or assistive technology. Services, supports, and technology such as this helps to enhance accessibility and strengths of individuals with disabilities in roles they are successful in while also acknowledging positions that the individual with a disability may determine to be difficult or not the best fit. Remember, trial and error is all part of the autonomous vocational pathway as well for individuals with disabilities. Sometimes we have to go back to understanding the “individual” or the “self” when something does not work out before traveling the path again, and this is an evolving and ongoing process.

What possible scenarios could occur for individuals with disabilities discovering and exploring the autonomous vocational pathway? Individuals with disabilities decide to go work for an employer. Individuals with disabilities may decide to provide freelance work or independent contracting to an agency, company, or organization. Individuals with disabilities may experience shifts and transformations in the autonomous vocational pathway, and that is quite alright. It’s also possible for individuals with disabilities to work for an employer and be a freelancer or independent contractor. Individuals with disabilities, if they truly desire to do so, may decide to work for an employer, be a freelancer or independent contractor, and decide to start up their own business. The combinations of possibilities are limitless. At the end of the day, as long as the individual with a disability is making their own decisions and choosing their own paths to work success, this will enhance the quality of an individual with a disability’s life experiences and promote true happiness. Along the way, individuals with disabilities will find mentors and professionals that guide and support them in their successes, and there will be some that push individuals with disabilities to strive to do their very best, but it will be worth it and rewarding.

Over the last several years, as someone with autism, epilepsy, and one that has battled thyroid disease, i’ve learned to make sense of the autonomous vocational pathway and how it applies to my life. I have worked for several employers directly, and sometimes I have had setbacks and have had to go back to my “individual” or “self” to evaluate and even re-evaluate my challenges and strengths. The process involves a lot of resiliency and perseverance. I have been eventually been able to pursue multiple jobs now as an autism life coach working remotely and now will have the opportunity to also work with individuals with disabilities in person to help me to better grow and develop at a personal and professional level. The autonomous vocational pathway for me has guided me to pursuing my passion in helping people with disabilities and making an impact on communities with my blog posts, podcast appearances, and even in the craft of writing. As someone who was diagnosed with autism at two, could not talk, and with questions surrounding independent living, and having the gift to write something special and amazing as this is truly incredible and my hope is that this will be an eye opener for people working with individuals with disabilities knowing that anything can happen if we believe.

The autonomous vocational pathway has the ultimate potential for paving the way to help individuals with disabilities on how they would like to go about their vocational experiences. The path we take will be different and unique in our own individualized way, but the key point to remember is that there is no one linear approach and that the vocational pathway is likely to take someone in not only multiple directions, but even in various directions. Individuals with disabilities find their vocational craft through discovery, exploration, and by acquiring the skills, knowledge, experience, and personalities in different roles to better understand themselves and to gain insight as to what one is destined to do, whether that is one job one is happy and passionate about, or even multiple jobs. No matter the path an individual with a disability takes, they may still seek services and support in some sort of capacity and it will be essential to provide disability etiquette as well as continue to honor the wishes and respect the person as a person. Shifts and transformations within the autonomous vocational pathway are evolving and ongoing, and part of continuing through the path is experiencing the setbacks, the comebacks, the challenges, the rewards and the successes. Look at my life, despite the hardships and obstacles, the fact I am able to take the time to write this and reflect on how the autonomous vocational pathway has influenced my life is amazing. Know there is and always will be hope and that I truly believe individuals with disabilities serve a purpose in all our lives in one form or another, especially when it comes to crafting their true vocations in their livelihoods

What are your thoughts about the autonomous vocational pathway? What potential do you think this model brings in providing a more holistic understanding of employment and individuals with disabilities? Please feel free to engage and share your comments and thoughts.