Navigating life with a disability comes with unique challenges, and finding suitable work can be one of them. However, side hustles for disabled adults offer flexible and accessible opportunities for disabled individuals to earn extra money.
These side gigs can be tailored to your personal strengths and needs, whether you’re tech-savvy, enjoy social interactions, or possess a specific skill set. Side hustles can be done from home, on your own schedule, and at your own pace, making them ideal for those seeking to balance their capabilities with financial independence.
By embracing these opportunities, you can leverage your talents in new and meaningful ways, boosting both your income and confidence. Let’s delve into a variety of side hustle options that are particularly well-suited for disabled people.
Key Takeaways
- Side hustles offer disabled adults flexible ways to earn income that can accommodate their unique needs and abilities.
- Many side hustles can be done from home, eliminating mobility challenges and allowing for comfortable work environments.
- There are side hustles suitable for various types of disabilities, including physical, hearing, visual, and cognitive impairments.
- Many side hustles are made possible or easier through digital platforms and tools, increasing accessibility for disabled individuals.
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Side Hustles For Individuals with Physical Disabilities or Mobility Impairments
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, only 21.3% of people with a disability were employed, compared to 65.4% of those without a disability. This highlights the need for flexible work options like side hustles for disabled adults.
1. Freelance Writing
As a disabled individual, finding a fulfilling and flexible career path can be a game-changer. That’s why freelance writing is an excellent side hustle to consider. With the ability to work from home, all you need is a computer and internet connection to get started.
The freelance industry is growing rapidly, with a recent study by Upwork showing that 39% of the U.S. workforce (60 million Americans) performed freelance work in the past year.
This career path offers the autonomy to create your own schedule, which is particularly beneficial for those with chronic illnesses, mobility impairments, or other disabilities that require regular medical appointments or energy management.
As you gain momentum and build a reputation as a skilled writer, you can increase your rates and take on higher-paying assignments.
2. Virtual Assistant
With the rise of remote side hustles, virtual assistance has become a lucrative side hustle that can be done from the comfort of your own home as a disabled person to earn money.
To get started, take stock of your administrative skills – are you proficient in digital tools like Microsoft Office or Google Workspace? Do you excel at organization and communication? These skills are highly valuable in the virtual assistant world.
3. Social Media Management
For individuals with disabilities, finding a side hustle that accommodates their needs can be a game-changer. Social media management is an excellent opportunity for those with mobility impairments, chronic illnesses, or other disabilities that require flexible work arrangements.
Consider offering your services to small businesses or freelancing on platforms like Upwork.
Social media management offers a unique blend of creativity and profitability, enabling you to earn money without the need for physical labor or a rigid schedule.
4. Customer Service Representative
For many individuals with disabilities, finding a job that accommodates their needs can be a significant challenge. However, with the rise of remote work, customer service roles have become a viable option for making extra money for those who prefer to work from home or have limited mobility.
In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to assist customers, resolve issues, and provide technical support, all while working in a comfortable and familiar environment.
You can search for opportunities on job boards like Indeed or directly on company websites. Some customer service roles may require set hours, but many offer part-time or flexible scheduling options, which can be a great fit for those with disabilities.
5. Transcriptionist
Accessible and flexible, transcription is a lucrative side hustle for individuals with physical disabilities who excel in listening and typing.
Platforms like Rev, TranscribeMe, and GoTranscript offer entry-level transcription opportunities. As you gain experience, you can specialize in high-paying areas like medical or legal transcription.
This side hustle for disabled adults is perfect for those who prefer independent, detail-oriented work. With practice, you can improve your speed and accuracy, taking on more projects and increasing your earnings.
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Side Hustles For Hearing Disabled Adults
6. Graphic Design
In today’s digital age, visual content plays a vital role in capturing audiences and conveying messages. For individuals with disabilities, graphic design offers a unique opportunity to tap into their creative potential and turn it into a fulfilling side hustle.
As a graphic designer, you’ll have the freedom to work from the comfort of your own home, creating visual content for websites, advertisements, social media, and more.
Online platforms like 99designs, Fiverr, and Upwork provide opportunities to find freelance design work and gain experience.
7. Web Development
The digital side hustle landscape has opened up a world of opportunities for people with disabilities to earn money and pursue their passions. One such opportunity is web development, a field that values technical skills over verbal communication.
You’ll focus on building and maintaining websites using coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This job can be done entirely online from anywhere.
You can find freelance web development opportunities on platforms like Upwork, and Freelancer, or by connecting with tech communities.
For individuals with hearing impairments, web development can be a particularly appealing side hustle, offering a flexible and financially rewarding career path.
8. Illustration/Art Commissions
Many disabled individuals possess exceptional artistic talents but may face barriers in traditional employment settings. Fortunately, the rise of online platforms and freelance work has created new opportunities for artists to monetize their skills and achieve financial independence.
One such opportunity is illustration and art commissions. By leveraging your artistic talents, you can create customized artwork, from portraits to book illustrations, and sell them online.
Utilize social media platforms like Instagram and art communities like DeviantArt to attract potential clients and showcase your work to make money.
9. Proofreading/Editing
For individuals with hearing impairments, proofreading and editing offer a lucrative and flexible side hustle to get money. These roles focus on refining written content, eliminating the need for verbal communication.
This work can be done entirely online, providing convenience and adaptability. Websites like ProofreadingServices.com, Scribendi, and Upwork offer a wealth of opportunities to secure proofreading and editing jobs.
10. Photography (Editing)
In the digital age, opportunities for disabled individuals to monetize their skills and pursue their passions are more accessible than ever. Photo editing is a creative and in-demand skill that can be leveraged as a profitable side hustle to earn money.
You’ll work independently, using software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to enhance and retouch images. This online-based work allows you to focus on visual tasks, unhindered by the need for verbal communication.
Photo editing offers a flexible and creative outlet, empowering disabled individuals to work on their own terms and achieve financial independence.
Side Hustles For Visual Impairments Disabled People
11. Voice Acting
The world of voice acting offers a wealth of opportunities for disabled individuals to turn their passion into a fulfilling side hustle. With the rise of digital media, the demand for voice actors has increased, creating a lucrative market for those with a strong vocal presence.
For individuals with visual impairments, voice acting can be a particularly rewarding career path. By leveraging their vocal talents, they can bring characters to life, narrate stories, and convey messages in a creative and engaging way.
12. Podcasting
By breaking down barriers and shattering stereotypes, individuals with disabilities are proving that entrepreneurship is within reach. One accessible and lucrative side hustle is podcasting, which allows you to share your voice, showcase your expertise, and connect with a global audience.
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With a microphone, recording software, and a hosting platform like Anchor or Podbean, you can turn your passion into a podcast that resonates with listeners.
Whether you’re an expert in a particular field or have a talent for storytelling, podcasting provides a flexible and creative outlet for self-expression.
With podcasting, you have the flexibility to work at your own pace and create content that showcases your talents and personality and earn from them.
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13. Telephonic Customer Support
People with visual impairments can thrive in telephonic customer support roles, leveraging their exceptional communication skills to deliver top-notch service.
As a customer support agent, you’ll engage with customers, address their concerns, and resolve issues via phone, focusing on verbal communication that plays to your strengths.
Many companies offer remote customer support positions, which can be found on job boards like Indeed or directly on company websites. While some roles may require set hours, many offer flexible schedules or part-time arrangements, accommodating your needs.
14. Consulting (in a field of expertise)
In today’s digital age, remote work has become the new norm, and consulting has emerged as a lucrative side hustle for individuals with disabilities.
Consulting offers a unique opportunity to leverage their expertise and provide valuable advice and solutions to clients from the comfort of their own homes.
By identifying areas of specialization, such as business, technology, healthcare, or other fields, disabled entrepreneurs can establish themselves as authorities in their niche.
Consulting empowers disabled entrepreneurs to take control of their careers, work on their own terms, and earn a substantial income.
15. Life Coaching
Empowering others to reach their full potential can be a highly rewarding experience, especially for individuals with visual impairments who possess strong communication skills.
As a life coach, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives while working in a way that accommodates your needs.
By leveraging phone or audio-based platforms, you can connect with clients and provide guidance on various aspects of their lives, such as career advancement, personal growth, or relationship development.
Side Hustles For People with Chronic Illnesses or Fatigue
16. Online Tutoring
With the rise of online learning, a new opportunity has emerged: online tutoring. By leveraging their expertise and sharing their knowledge with students, individuals with disabilities can earn a steady income while working from the comfort of their own homes.
The global online tutoring market size was valued at USD 8.37 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.7% from 2023 to 2030, as reported by Grand View Research.
Online tutoring offers a unique combination of flexibility and fulfillment, allowing tutors to work at their own pace and choose their own hours. Whether you’re knowledgeable about mathematics, languages, or another subject area, you can connect with students who need your expertise.
Popular platforms like Tutor.com, Wyzant, and Chegg Tutors can help you find clients and get started, or you can promote your services through social media or local community groups.
17. Dropshipping
With the rise of e-commerce and dropshipping, it’s now possible for disabled entrepreneurs to start and run a successful online business from the comfort of their own homes.
Dropshipping is a business model that allows entrepreneurs to sell products without holding any inventory. This means that disabled entrepreneurs can focus on marketing and sales, without having to worry about the physical demands of storing and shipping products.
To get started with dropshipping, disabled entrepreneurs can choose a niche or product category that they’re passionate about, such as adaptive clothing, assistive technology, or home decor.
They can then set up an online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, and connect with suppliers through websites like AliExpress or Oberlo.
18. Print on Demand
Print on demand is a flexible and accessible side hustle that can be a game-changer for individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or fatigue. This innovative approach to entrepreneurship allows you to create and sell custom products without the burden of inventory management.
By designing unique items like t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases, you can monetize your creativity and connect with customers who share your passions.
Popular platforms like Printful, Teespring, and Redbubble provide a seamless way to set up an online store and partner with printing services.
19. Online Surveys or Market Research
Online surveys and market research offer a flexible and accessible way for people with disabilities to earn extra income, share their opinions, and contribute to product development.
By signing up with reputable survey websites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, or Pinecone Research, individuals with disabilities can connect with companies seeking valuable consumer feedback.
Each survey typically requires minimal time and effort, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule or accommodate fluctuating energy levels.
20. Content Creation (Blogging, YouTube)
Disabled individuals can tap into their passions and share their unique perspectives through content creation, a flexible and fulfilling side hustle. By focusing on topics they love, they can build a loyal audience and generate income through advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
For those with chronic illnesses or fatigue, content creation offers a low-energy yet high-reward opportunity.
By choosing a niche that resonates with them, such as disability advocacy, accessible travel, or adaptive technology, they can create valuable content that resonates with others.
Popular platforms like WordPress, Medium, and YouTube provide accessible tools for blogging and video creation.
Side Hustles For Adults with Cognitive or Learning Disabilities
21. Art and Craft Sales (Etsy, Markets)
online marketplaces like Etsy have created a platform for artisans with cognitive or learning disabilities to turn their creativity into a profitable venture.
By selling handmade arts and crafts, individuals can leverage their unique skills and talents to earn a supplemental income from the comfort of their own homes.
This side hustle not only provides a creative outlet but also generates income, enabling disabled individuals to turn their passions into sustainable ventures.
22. Pet Sitting/Dog Walking (if physically able)
Pet sitting and dog walking are accessible side hustles that can be adapted to accommodate various abilities. These roles involve providing care and companionship to pets, which can be a therapeutic and rewarding experience.
By caring for pets while their owners are away or taking dogs for walks, individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities can enjoy a sense of purpose and independence.
Plus, spending time with animals has been shown to have a positive impact on mental and emotional well-being, making this side hustle a great fit for those looking for a therapeutic and enjoyable way to earn a living.
23. Delivery Services (if physically able)
For individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities who are physically capable, delivery services offer a viable side hustle. This role involves simple, repetitive tasks that can be completed at your own pace, such as transporting goods, groceries, packages, or food.
By signing up with delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Instacart, you can find jobs in your area that fit your schedule.
Delivery services provide a flexible and accessible way to earn a supplemental income while fostering a sense of accomplishment through completing straightforward tasks.
FAQs About Side Hustles For Disabled Adults
How Can I Make Extra Money If I am Disabled?
You can make extra money by exploring flexible side hustles like freelancing, remote customer service, online tutoring, or selling handmade products. These opportunities allow you to work from home, set your own schedule, and tailor tasks to your abilities.
Can Disabled People Make Money Online?
Yes, disabled people can make money online through various opportunities like freelancing, virtual assistance, content creation, and online businesses. These options provide flexibility and accessibility, making it easier to work from home and manage tasks according to individual needs.
Can You Earn Money While Being Permanently Disabled?
Yes, even with a permanent disability, you can earn money through flexible side hustles. These opportunities allow you to work from home, adapt tasks to your abilities, and generate income while managing your condition.
Final Thoughts
Empowerment is within reach for disabled individuals who embrace side hustles. By leveraging their strengths, interests, and creativity, they can unlock new income streams, build confidence, and enhance their overall well-being.
The adaptability of side hustles allows individuals to work at their own pace, capitalizing on their unique abilities and accommodating their needs. Whether seeking financial stability, personal growth, or a sense of purpose, side hustles offer a pathway to achieving goals and realizing aspirations.
Hi, I’m Ralph Matthews, the founder of Money Path Mastery blog. I used to be stuck in a boring office job for years, but I decided to change that. I learned how to make money online with side hustles and working from home. Now, on my blog, I share the simple strategies that helped me achieve financial freedom. Now I want to help those people who want to quit their 9-5 job too. Check out my easy tips to secure your financial future, just like I did.