By Daniel Lawton

For a person who has just experienced or been diagnosed with a life-changing disability, the first priority will probably be stabilizing their health and figuring out how to adapt their old life to the new circumstances. One of the most daunting challenges those with a new disability often face is adapting their current job to their new disability according to Disaboom, the largest online community for people with disabilities.

When to Return to Work

After a traumatizing accident, it's important to take as much time as needed before attempting to re-enter the workplace. However, for many, returning quickly is an important part of the recovery process. "All people need time to recover and envision a life they consider valuable," says Barbara Trader, executive director of TASH, an organization that advocates for the disabled. "But the sooner they start preparing to return [to work], the better. The longer a person stews about what's next, the longer it takes to get back in a job," she adds.

What to Expect When Returning

Depending on the disability, returning to work can be either a fairly easy or a difficult transition. For example, the person may be able to do all of the tasks they did previously with the help of some simple office modifications or assistive technology.

On the other hand, the person may find that they are no longer able to complete the essential tasks associated with their job. If so, the person may need to either be retrained in a different specialization, or find work in a different field. In situations in which a new career path is necessary, the person should focus on transferable skills, such as conducting research, writing effectively, or communicating well. Employees recently diagnosed with a disability may also want to familiarize themselves with forms of computer-mediated communication (such as instant messaging, phone conferencing, and video conferencing) because telecommuting is often a solution to many of the transportation problems that come with having a physical disability.

What Legal Protections Are in Place to Help

There are a number of legal protections in place to ensure workplace opportunities for people with disabilities. For example, employers are required to provide "reasonable accommodations" to those with disabilities. Be prepared to provide the employer with the information on accommodations needed so work is at the person's highest level of productivity. (Also, keep in mind that employers do not have to accommodate "essential tasks," meaning that if the person was previously a taxi-driver and has lost both arms, it's most likely time to look for a different job.)

In addition, the Family Medical Leave Act provides workers who've recently sustained a new disability with up to 12 weeks off per year without loss of job or health insurance. (This protection applies only to companies with 50 or more employees.)

Bottom line: although a new disability has the potential to hamper an individual's work capabilities, there are still various options available to those who have been recently diagnosed with a physical or mental impairment. The most important things to remember are to stay positive and stay informed.

For more information on returning to work after a disability, as well as other career advice, log onto Disaboom's employment section, located at http://www.disaboomjobs.com/. Launched in 2007, Disaboom is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and offers advice, resources and online communities for people touched by disabilities, as well as their friends, family and caregivers.