What Does a Social Worker for Disability Services Do?

More than one in four American adults has some type of physical, mental, developmental or emotional disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These disabilities range from vision or hearing loss to mobility and memory issues, and they can cause individuals to struggle to live independently or practice basic self-care. 

Limited mobility or cognition can make it difficult for individuals with disabilities to access the care they need, but professionals such as social workers for disability services can help. A Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree provides aspiring social workers with the advanced knowledge and skills required to help support and advocate for individuals with disabilities.

Professionals Supporting Individuals With Disabilities 

Individuals living with disabilities may face disproportionate challenges accessing and receiving adequate care. About 25 percent of Americans with disabilities don’t have a primary care provider, another 25 percent have an unmet health and/or behavioral health care need, and 20 percent haven’t received routine medical care in the last year, according to the CDC. The reasons vary, but excessive cost, cognitive impairment and too few resources are the primary causes of the lack of quality care. 

Because of the challenges they face, individuals with disabilities rely on a wide range of professionals for their care. Doctors, nurses, psychologists, and counselors help individuals with disabilities stay physically and mentally well, and other professionals — including occupational therapists, nutritionists, speech therapists, school counselors, special education teachers and social workers for disability services — serve much broader roles. 

Social Worker for Disability Services: Job Description

The role of a social worker for disability services is dynamic and unique. At its heart, it involves helping individuals with a wide range of disabilities cope with the various challenges they may experience. The role can vary from one agency or organization to the next based on the location, the clients’ needs and the resources available in the clients’ communities. 

Several types of social workers fit within this category. Some specialize in helping individuals with learning disabilities; some primarily work with the aging population; and others care for individuals who have life-altering physical disabilities, such as vision loss, hearing loss and/or acute mobility issues. 

Work Environment

Social workers for disability services can work in various settings. They commonly work in hospitals, local health departments and authorities, schools, clinics and community groups. They also work for nonprofit organizations and in private practice. They often work 40 or more hours per week and are on call many nights, weekends or holidays. 

Though most social workers who specialize in disability services work from a central office, they spend much of their time visiting their clients in other locations, such as their clients’ homes, classrooms or workplaces. They may be required to travel to meet with or assist clients. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities that a social worker for disability services performs vary significantly from one day to the next and from one client to another. Clients with cognitive impairments have far different needs from those who have vision or hearing impairments, for example. 

Common duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Helping clients understand their legal rights to aid, accommodation and accessibility 
• Helping clients secure housing, food, employment or education to live as independently as possible  
• Teaching clients how to communicate with others and care for themselves 
• Helping clients understand their diagnoses and adjust their way of living to accommodate them 
• Providing clients with access to resources, such as transportation to appointments, counseling and support groups 
• Helping clients take care of everyday tasks, such as visiting the grocery store, getting a haircut or shopping for seasonal clothing 
• Advocating for and assisting clients as they apply for the benefits to which they are entitled, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and state Medicaid programs 
• Helping clients discover and pursue hobbies that enrich their lives 
• Encouraging clients to live a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, exercise and regular medical checkups 
• Serving as counselors by listening to clients’ feelings and emotions and helping them cope with past traumas
• Referring clients to other agencies and resources 
• Helping clients set attainable goals for themselves and celebrating when they achieve them; affirming the client’s unique strengths and building their sense of empowerment; promoting the agency they have in their lives 
• Evaluating and monitoring clients for progress
• Collaborating with other professionals in clients’ lives, such as health care providers, counselors, employers and teachers; supporting clients by helping them build a community of social support and access spaces that are inclusive and affirming

How to Become a Social Worker for Disability Services 

To become a social worker for disability services, individuals must have the right education, work experience and skills. They must also obtain the required licensure and credentials to practice as a social worker in their state. 

Education

The education requirement for social workers varies depending on the state of employment. In most states, social workers must complete an M.S.W. degree to qualify for licensure. 

An M.S.W. allows aspiring social workers to choose from various specializations, including social work for disability services, child welfare, mental health, substance misuse and research. Quality M.S.W. degree programs take a trauma-informed and evidence-based approach to social work; this is vital for providing the proper care to at-risk populations. Graduate degree programs also focus on clinical practice and program and policy administration,* which is ideal for aspiring social workers in disability services who may want to take on managerial or executive-level roles in the future or focus on macro-level issues, such as policy reform or systems-level change. 

Work Experience

Social work degree programs require students to participate in hands-on internships, field education or practicums. The number of hours required varies, so many aspiring social workers seek jobs as assistants or volunteer in nonprofit organizations to gain the critical experience they need. 

Any experience working with individuals with disabilities, even if unrelated to the social work field, can be useful. Some examples are working in nursing, working in assisted living facilities or serving as aides to teachers in special education. 

Licensure

All 50 states require clinical social workers to obtain licensure, but the requirements for licensure vary by jurisdiction. After completing a social work degree program, aspiring social workers will need to apply for licensure and pass the associated licensing examination. Most states also require a specific number of field education hours per year, a specific number of continuing education (CE) credits earned, or a combination of the two to maintain or renew licensure.  

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) offers licensing information for each state, including the requirements for renewing or maintaining licensure. It also provides links to each state’s statutes and regulations related to social work practice. 

Important Skills

The skills and traits required to work as a social worker for disability services vary, but one of the most important is empathy. Empathy allows social workers to imagine themselves in their clients’ shoes and approach topics from their perspective. Social workers must also be dependable to build rapport with their clients. 

Communication skills — especially speaking and active listening skills — are crucial. Social workers must be able to interpret complex topics and relay information in ways that their clients can understand. They must be able to understand their clients’ frustrations or problems, even when their clients cannot express themselves clearly. 

Social workers must be familiar with the programs and resources that are available in their clients’ communities. This involves regularly scouring news media and organizations’ social media pages for new services, funding and programs that may benefit their clients. In many cases, social workers for disability services petition city, county and state governments for more funding to promote accessibility, independent living or better medical care. 

The Future of Social Workers for Disability Services

Many communities across the country are increasingly focused on helping individuals with disabilities live happy and fulfilling lives. In turn, the demand for trained professionals like social workers for disability services is expected to rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), positions for social workers — including those specializing in disability services — will rise by 7 percent between 2022 and 2032. 

Strengthen Your Community as a Social Worker for Disability Services

Social workers have helped shape society for more than a century, and they continue to serve important roles in the modern world. Social workers in disability services will continue to change lives for the better for many years to come by serving as advocates, counselors, assistants and even friends. In these ways, they support individuals living with disabilities to develop the skills, confidence and independence that improve their social welfare. 

The first step in becoming a social worker for disability services involves pursuing an advanced degree. If you have a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field, the M.S.W. online program format at Virginia Commonwealth University can provide you with the specialized knowledge and skills you need to thrive in the role. Discover how you can strengthen your community by serving as an advocate for individuals with disabilities. 

Credit

Reviewed by Kathleen M. Korndoerfer, M.A., LPC.*

*Kathleen Korndoerfer, M.A., is a licensed professional counselor with over 10 years experience in the fields of mental health and social work. Kathleen currently practices in Colorado and specializes in the treatment of PTSD & trauma-related disorders and child and adolescent counseling. 

Kathleen Korndoerfer, Licensed Professional Counselor, Montrose, CO, 81401 | Psychology Today