Yes, it is indeed possible to work abroad with a disability, and yes, there are obstacles, whether the disability is visible or not. However, these barriers do not jeopardize the expatriation plan鈥攆ar from it. Here are some practical tips for聽moving abroad with a disability.
Expats with disabilities: Overcoming common misconceptions聽
This聽is by far the most significant obstacle faced by people with disabilities. The association of disability with inactivity is still too common, supported by authentic statistics. For instance, in France, only聽"38% of recognized disabled individuals"聽were employed in 2022, which is half the rate of the overall population, according to the French Directorate for Research, Studies and Statistics (DARES). In the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21.3% of individuals with disabilities were employed in 2022, compared to 65.4% of those without disabilities.聽
Although the gap remains significant, the employment rate for people with disabilities has slightly increased (up from 19.1% in 2021).
Organizations that support workers with disabilities in their moving abroad efforts emphasize these figures to highlight that not only is working with a disability feasible but so is expatriation. They maintain an optimistic view without ignoring the real challenges. The significant employment gap between those with and without disabilities, evident in many countries, shows that accessing the job market is more challenging for those with disabilities.
It's聽more difficult, but not impossible.聽This聽is the ongoing struggle of associations and organizations that support the integration of people with disabilities. For example, the European mobility program Erasmus+ provides support to help expatriates with disabilities.
Building your professional project聽
Proper planning is聽key, and this advice is given to all potential expatriates, regardless of whether they have a disability. The importance of preparation聽is even more emphasized聽for those with disabilities.聽Consider the circumstances of moving abroad; whether it involves an international transfer (with an expatriation contract or not),聽make sure to negotiate the contract carefully聽with the company.聽Generally, the contract includes support for settling in a foreign country.
When it comes to disability, many regions of the world still need to make progress in terms of聽accessibility, which remains one of the main obstacles for future workers with disabilities.聽It's聽essential to choose your host city by considering these practical parameters. Depending on the disability, moving to an area with poor transport services (and accessible transport) should be avoided, as should regions where access to healthcare is difficult (few doctors, specialists, hard-to-find medications, complicated care, etc.).
The professional project thus encompasses all practical aspects of life.聽It's聽also crucial to ensure聽with聽the employer (if there is already an employment contract) that the company has considered the nature of the disability and will adapt the workplace and working conditions accordingly.聽A review of the host聽country's聽disability legislation will confirm the advancements (or lack thereof)聽of the country聽in this聽area,聽and the聽government's聽commitment to defending and protecting the rights of people with disabilities.
Seek聽information and聽support
While resources exist for people with disabilities, they are still too little known.聽This聽includes Erasmus+,聽which is聽expanding its communication to reach more people with disabilities.聽Too many potential expatriates abandon their projects聽without realizing they聽were聽feasible.聽Erasmus+ offers support not only financially but also in guiding future expatriates in developing their career projects abroad.
At the state level, several other structures support workers with disabilities. These organizations advocate for better inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market聽and may聽have an international branch, like France Travail in聽France,聽or聽Canada's聽government tool for self-declaration of disability, which allows online access to federal public service job offers reserved for people with disabilities. In New Zealand, the Ministry for Disabled People聽offers resources for聽support and job finding.
More tips for working abroad with a disability
Be cautious about allowances: those provided in your country of residence will聽be discontinued聽if you relocate to a foreign country. For example, French people have to give up their disability adult allowance (AAH) when moving abroad unless they聽are going to聽pursue studies, vocational training, or learn a language abroad.
Other聽aids聽are聽available for European citizens moving to other EU countries, so聽you could benefit from assistance in those countries.聽If you are moving to a non-European country, you聽are advised聽to contact social services to discuss your project and learn about the steps to receive aid聽potentially. When in a foreign country, expats should apply through the social service of their consulate, which assesses disability severity to decide on the aid.
Obtaining feedback from people with disabilities living in the host country is invaluable. Connecting with them provides insights into practical life in that country. Even if these expats do not have the same disability, they can聽provide聽a different perspective, highlighting aspects that those without disabilities might not notice.聽They can also serve as role models for聽the聽potential聽expatriate, confirming that moving abroad with a disability is indeed possible.
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