Could IT be a career for you?

If you have a physical disability, getting ready for the world of work may seem daunting. However, there are some jobs that, once you have received training, provide excellent career opportunities. Especially if you have the potential to excel in information and communications technology (ICT), you should be able to get employment and could even become the next IT entrepreneur.

“If you have a disability, you should not be excluded from participating equally in the economy,” says Prudence Mabitsela, founder and managing director of Dynamic DNA – a leading training and skills development company empowering Africa’s ICT generation.

“If you have the right attitude, aptitude and skill, there is no reason you should not excel in this career,” she adds.

As ICT skills – particularly scarce skills like cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and cloud computing – are in high demand due to companies increasingly relying on technology to do business, a career in IT offers great opportunities.

Prudence is passionate about empowering young people with the right skills for the future and is focused on getting more people with disabilities and black women into the ICT sector while at the helm of Dynamic DNA.

“While some impairments like blindness are not at the level of inclusion that we would like, there are opportunities for you whether you have a hearing, speech or mobility impairment,” she says.

This Disability Awareness Month, she shares her insights on why ICT could be a great career for people with physical disability:

Not physically strenuous

The ICT industry does not disfavour people with a disability and the job is not physically strenuous. There are some ICT jobs that do require physical strength such as telecommunications installers and technicians, so be mindful when selecting a course to study.

In addition, with the availability of assistive technologies like speech-to-text, you could communicate with relative ease on e-mail, WhatsApp, and through work applications. It will just require some practice and access to these technologies.

Prudence encourages people with disabilities to consider these ICT careers:

• Programmer;
• Systems analyst;
• Business analyst;
• Software engineer;
• Network administrator; and
• Website developer.

Inclusive training institutions

Many training companies, like Dynamic DNA, have adapted their learning environment to cater for people with a mobility impairment making their campus accessible and inclusive. If you have a speech impediment you can participate in learning at a pace and level that suits your needs.

For students with hearing impairments, all the learning materials are available in a visual format. Also, the online learner platform allows you to do remote learning at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home.

Remote working

As remote working is now becoming an increasingly accepted way of working, it is effectively removing the physical barrier of access to the workplace. If you have a physical disability, you can work from home. Many companies provide internet access as well as voice apps that allow you to answer the phone from your mobile device.

Workplace readiness and mentorship

You may find yourself nervous about integrating into your work environment; however, there are other organisations such as Dynamic DNA that provides learnerships with full learner management from training, hiring, workplace mentorship to successful employment, and complete administrative management of the skills development process to ensure the company taking you on also benefits from tax credits and levy reimbursements.

“While there are still some barriers for people with disabilities in the workplace,” says Prudence. “This is changing through innovative Assistive Technologies (AT), the support of South African companies who are becoming more inclusive, and the opportunity created by a growing IT skills gap.”