Do you have a chronic health condition such asDoes Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, diabetes, ADHD, or arthritis prevent you from working full-time? So keep reading. We have a list of job openings for people with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
My life with a chronic illness
Many years ago, I worked as a pediatric nurse in the medical-surgical unit of a children’s hospital. The job offered flexibility, benefits, and pay, but it also came with a lot of stress.
I worked 12 hour shifts from 7pm to 7am. Traveling to a cemetery is not only physically taxing, but there are fewer resources and staff available to assist you during this time.
Seven kids crashed into me in one year. There were seven situations where children were critically ill and had to be transferred to the PICU. All this stress and the slow hours put my body in the worst possible state.
I told my doctor about my symptoms, panic attacks, anxiety, weight gain, chronic fatigue, sleep issues, gastrointestinal issues, and it turned out I had hypothyroidism. This chronic disease is something that forever requires me to take medication and often wreaks havoc on my overall health.
Living with a chronic illness can be a huge challenge.
The good news is that there are plenty of part-time jobs, freelance careers, and home business opportunities where you can set your own schedule, making it easy to earn an income even with a chronic illness. When you work for yourself, you can work when you feel like it and take breaks when you need to.
If you’re struggling to keep a job and earn an income because of a chronic illness, here are some of the best work-from-home jobs for people with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Work from home jobs for people with chronic illnesses or disabilities
1. Content creator
Content creation is a flexible and great home-based job for people with chronic illnesses. It’s a great creative outlet. Additionally, you can share your practical wisdom with others and use your knowledge and experience to improve their lives.
If you’re creating content for the first time, decide which platform you’d like to create it for.
Once you have your platform set up, start writing your content and start cross-promoting it on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Once you’ve built your audience, you can start monetizing it with advertising, affiliate marketing, freelance services, product sales (print books, e-books, courses, etc.), brand sponsorships, and more.
Need some inspiration?
Check out author and motivational blogger John Morrow. He earned millions of dollars despite suffering from muscular dystrophy, chronic pain, multiple bouts of pneumonia, and broken bones. What’s more, I can’t move my body except my face. If he can do it, so can you!
2. Freelance writer
If you have a knack for words but don’t want to run a blog, consider contributing to other publications as a freelance writer. There are plenty of freelance writing jobs online, and depending on speed, skill, and experience, writers can earn an average of $23 an hour.
Some of the great things about freelance writing are the flexibility and variety in topics and writing specialties. As long as you can meet deadlines and deliver quality work, you can avoid the ups and downs of chronic illness.
Here are just a few of the different writing specialties to consider.
Kimberly Rae, accustomed to a digital nomad lifestyle, found herself confined to her home as she battled asthma, hypoglycemia, and Addison’s disease. Kimberly began writing Christian suspense novels to relive some of her travels in her mind. Today, Kimberly is an Amazon bestselling author and has written over 20 books, including books for people with chronic illnesses.
3. Proofreader
With so many writers online, the proofreading industry is booming as well. If you have a keen eye for spotting mistakes and grammatical errors, proofreading may be the job for you.
If you want to learn more about becoming a proofreader, you can check out the free Proofread Anywhere webinar to learn the basics and scope of the proofreading profession. This course will support you by giving you the proofreading tools you need to get started and walking you through the process of finding clients.
4. Transcriber
Fast typists with good listening skills may be interested in transcription as a work-from-home job. Automation and digitization have changed the field of transcription, but there are still plenty of viable jobs for those interested in transcribing audio to text.
If you are interested in transcription, there are three main types:
Some general transcriptionists are self-taught, but if you want to study professionally, you will need additional training to familiarize yourself with the terminology and nuances of the legal and medical fields. New transcribers can work as freelancers at companies like Rev, TranscribeMe, CrowdSurf, and Scribie.
5. Graphic designer
Graphic design is a rapidly changing and growing field. Designers are no longer limited to simply creating printed logos and brochures. Even beginners can get started online by creating simple graphics for Pinterest.
If you have a creative spark and an artistic eye, try your hand at graphic design. There are many affordable and free resources, training tools, and even software programs online. The average salary for a graphic designer is approximately $58,910 per year, and some designers earn much more than that.
6. Coach
Are you blessed with empathy? Are you able to motivate, guide and help others get through life and difficult situations? Coaching is a great way to help others discover their path and improve their lives. It’s the industry.
Coaching is divided into many specialties, from relationships to business to parenting to career coaching. There are also coaches like Rosalind Joffe who help people with chronic illnesses. In fact, it was Rosalind’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis that led to her career change. If helping others improve their lives while working from home and setting your own schedule sounds like the kind of job you want to do, check out iPEC’s Certified Coach Training.
7. Craft Seller
Crafty and artistic people can make and sell crafts at home. Of course, Etsy is an option for selling your handmade items. Still, sites like Conscious Crafties specialize in providing a sales platform for people with chronic illness, pain, mental health issues, Asperger’s disease, autism, and physical disabilities.
Making things is an opportunity to express yourself and unleash your creative side. Making things can also have a therapeutic effect. Many people suffering from chronic illness find crafts and art to be a positive outlet and a good way to soothe their emotions.
Related content: Craft jobs for stay-at-home moms
8. Social selling
Social selling is a good option for people with chronic illnesses who can’t commit to running a brick-and-mortar store. Direct selling companies like Tasteful Simple are perfect for people with chronic illnesses who want to sell their products from home. The great thing about social selling is that you can set your own hours and schedule, so you can work as much or as little as you like depending on your mood. Online sales, digital marketing apps, and social media make it easier than ever to promote and earn money from your direct selling business.
Check out this post for more direct selling opportunities.
9. Bookkeeping
If you’re into numbers, running a virtual bookkeeping business might give you the flexibility and freedom you need. If you don’t have any bookkeeping experience yet, you may want to invest in a short online training program like Bookkeepers. With Bookkeepers, you can learn everything you need to know to get started. You can progress at your own pace and complete it in as little as four months.
The great thing about bookkeeping is that you usually don’t have to face tight deadlines or long hours. As long as you can stay on top of the expense and income documentation you receive from your clients, you should be able to move forward with this business while living with a chronic illness.
10. Travel agency
Do you love researching online to find the perfect destination or activity? If so, becoming a home-based travel agent may be your calling. There are many ways to get started as a travel agent, from joining a travel franchise to finding a reputable host agency to join.
A successful travel agent said:Debra Carper is a double amputee who lost both legs due to complications from lupus. As a home-based business owner, Debra has the freedom to go to the doctor’s appointment without worrying about time and earn money.
11. Photographer
For those who love taking pictures of the world around them, becoming a freelance photographer may be the perfect career to provide the work-life balance you need. While you can work as a family or portrait photographer, one option that gives you more flexibility is to post your photos to stock photo sites. That way, you can work on your good days and take time off on your bad days. You can also submit your images to multiple sites (unless there’s an exclusivity clause) and earn even more from your photos.
12. Social media management
As a social media marketer, I help businesses and brands harness the power of social media. In these remote roles, you may be tasked with creating engaging content, monitoring and responding to customer comments, running ads, and measuring campaign visibility, insights, and results across various social media platforms. there is. Social media managers can work part-time, full-time, freelance, or even start their own business, and many companies allow you to set your own hours.
To explore flexible 1099 positions, check out:
13. Virtual assistant
Another great remote work option for those dealing with chronic illness or long-term illness is a VA (virtual assistant) job. As a VA, you will assist business owners and CEOs with administrative tasks such as calendar management, travel coordination, data entry, email communications, meeting reservations, and presentation creation. For these positions, employers are looking for people with excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills, as well as a high level of attention to detail. Many VA jobs allow flexible start and end times, and full-time and part-time positions are available.
Check below for potential employers.
14. 1099 Independent Contractor Work
While most work-from-home jobs require a set schedule, some independent contractor jobs allow for flexible schedules and work hours. Some of these positions do not offer paid training, so be sure to read all the requirements and fine print before applying.
15. Join the remote workforce
If you’d like to work as a W2 employee, we have an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunity employment practices. If you’re interested in a professional work-from-home career, here are some companies that hire remote workers and are open to people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
Check out this list from Disability IN for top disability-friendly companies. You can also research company culture and inclusivity on sites like Glassdoor and Great Place to Work.
Chronic Illness Job Resources
If you have a severe chronic illness and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, check out your employment options. The company offers work-from-home jobs to individuals receiving SSDI or SSI disability benefits in 47 states. Their services are provided free of charge as part of a national return to work programme.
The jobs they offer are with the nation’s leading employers for a variety of skill levels, including:
Another free service to check out is Ticket to Work. These are free, voluntary programs that can help individuals receiving SSDI or SSI benefits begin working to become financially independent.
Cancer and Careers offers free advice, interactive tools, and educational events if you’re dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
Lyme survivor Hannah Olson started the website Chronically Capable to provide career resources and flexible remote job opportunities for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
Remote jobs perfect for people with chronic illnesses
Just because you have a chronic illness doesn’t mean you should give up on your career dreams. You don’t have to feel like you can’t contribute or support your family. Chronic illness can be very isolating, painful, and difficult, but there are many flexible options for making money from home.
First publication date: July 25, 2017. Content updated in December 2024.
