Job search advice for those with disabilities

Where's a midlife legal services professional, one with multiple sclerosis, to look for work? That's what Donna Manvich, 56, of East Northport asked in an e-mail to Newsday. We invited readers to send their job search questions as part of Jobs Week, which ends Friday, to be answered by a panel of experts.

In the job market since April, Manvich said she's applied for federal jobs through usajobs.gov. She's also checked with organizations for the disabled, which she says she found were more oriented to helping those just starting out.

"It's very frustrating if you're not entry-level," said Manvich, who, indeed, has been sharing her professional expertise with others as facilitator of Professionally Speaking, a workplace-oriented group of the Long Island chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Manvich says she's been direct with potential employers, saying she uses a walker and is "visibly disabled." She tries to diffuse concerns by saying right upfront that, "I have MS but that hasn't stopped me from getting a law degree, while working full-time and going to law school at night." Next week she'll sit for the bar exam.

As for that job, "Any direction would be helpful," she wrote.

Advice from Chaundra Daniels, assistant director of employer relations at Hofstra University's career center:

Daniels, who heads up the career center's diversity initiatives for students, suggests Manvich look into the following: state and county civil service, the state court system, Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration and Adecco staffing firm in Melville, which last year received an award from the Congress of Diversity Executives. Also check: Lime Connect (limeconnect.org), an employment resource for people with disabilities who network with other professionals through online affinity circles; career resources at Equal Opportunity Publications, eop.com; and her law school's career center.

Diane M. Pfadenhauer, employment attorney and president of Employment Practices Advisors Inc. in Northport:

"I think the real answer is not job boards or organizations that help place the disabled. . . . The way to get a job in the legal profession (or any for that matter) is through networking and being active in the profession (thus being seen). . . . As the profession begins to see her and recognize her as a colleague, not an applicant, they will be more likely to hire her and things will naturally fall into place. The key for a job for her is to look where her personal circumstances/passion are valued."

For instance, depending on her interests, she might network into "groups or organizations that are advocates for the various disabled or injured populations. . . . In addition, law firms that have practice areas dealing with the disabled or disabled populations would be perfect opportunities for networking. . . . She should explore student membership in the local bar associations" and join "committees that are related to advocating for the disabled."