17 Disability Coordinator Interview Questions and Answers

Disability coordinators play a critical role in ensuring that employees with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else in the workplace. They work with managers and employees to identify workplace accommodations, and they also work with outside agencies to provide support for employees with disabilities.

If you’re looking for a job in disability coordination, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you’ll likely be asked questions about your experience working with people with disabilities, your knowledge of disability laws, and your ability to identify and implement accommodations.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve put together a list of common disability coordinator interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable advocating for clients who may be in a vulnerable position?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you feel about advocating for others and the importance of your role. Your answer should show that you are willing to support clients who may be in a vulnerable position, but also that you have the skills necessary to do so effectively.

Example: “I am passionate about helping people who need assistance with their disability claims. I know it can be difficult to advocate for yourself when you’re in a vulnerable position, so I make sure to provide my clients with as much information as possible to help them through the process. I also encourage them to ask me questions at any time so they don’t feel alone or unsure.”

What are some of the accommodations you would make for a client with a disability?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of disability accommodations and how you would apply them in the workplace. Use examples from previous experience that show you understand what accommodations are available for clients with disabilities and how they can help improve their work performance.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with a client who had a visual impairment. To accommodate his needs, I made sure he always had access to large-print documents and presentations so he could read them easily. I also scheduled meetings with him at times when natural light was most abundant so he could see our presentation materials more clearly. These simple adjustments helped him feel more comfortable during our meetings and boosted his productivity.”

How would you help a client who is having difficulty finding a job?

Employers may ask this question to see how you can help clients with their job search. They want to know that you will provide them with the tools and resources they need to find a job. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to help your client find a job. Show that you have experience helping others with their job searches.

Example: “I once worked with a client who was having difficulty finding a job because of his disability. He had trouble getting interviews because he didn’t feel comfortable disclosing his disability during an interview. I helped him write a cover letter that explained his disability without being too obvious. We also practiced interviewing so he could learn how to talk about his disability in a way that wouldn’t scare employers away. After practicing for a few weeks, he found a job at a local grocery store.”

What is your process for helping a client who is newly diagnosed with a disability?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach helping clients with disabilities and what your process is for providing support. Your answer should include a specific example of how you helped a client who was newly diagnosed with a disability, including any steps you took to ensure they were comfortable and understood their rights as a disabled individual.

Example: “When I first meet with a new client who has been recently diagnosed with a disability, I want to make sure that they feel comfortable asking me questions about their diagnosis or treatment plan. To do this, I ask them if there are any questions they have before we begin our meeting so that I can address those concerns right away. Then, I explain my role in the company and how I can help them navigate the claims process.”

Provide an example of a time you successfully advocated for a client.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you can use them to help others. In your answer, try to describe a situation where you helped someone overcome an obstacle or achieve their goals.

Example: “In my current role as disability coordinator, I recently assisted a client who was having trouble getting the accommodations they needed in order to succeed at work. After speaking with the employer, we determined that the company could provide the employee with a different computer program that would allow them to complete their tasks without needing special software. The employee thanked me for helping them resolve the issue and said they were now able to do their job effectively.”

If a client is unhappy with the level of support they are receiving, how would you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills and how you can help clients feel satisfied with the services they receive. In your answer, try to emphasize your ability to empathize with clients and find solutions that make them happy.

Example: “If a client is unhappy with their level of support, I would first listen to what they are dissatisfied about and then do my best to understand why they feel that way. After understanding their concerns, I would work with my team to develop strategies for improving our service delivery methods so we can better meet the needs of our clients. This strategy has helped me resolve many conflicts between clients and disability coordinators in the past.”

What would you do if a client was not receiving the level of support they were promised?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to advocate for clients. Use examples from previous experience where you helped resolve a conflict or disagreement with a client, supervisor or other stakeholders.

Example: “If I encountered this situation, I would first meet with the client to understand their concerns and expectations. Then, I would speak with my supervisor about the issue and ask them what they think is best to do in this situation. If we both agree that there’s an issue, then I would work with my supervisor to find a solution. For example, if a client was promised one type of support but received something different, I would make sure the client got the support they were promised.”

How well do you understand the Americans with Disabilities Act?

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law that protects the rights of people with disabilities. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how it applies to your role and responsibilities. Use your answer to explain what you know about the ADA, including any experience you have working with it.

Example: “I am very familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act. I worked for an organization where we had to comply with its regulations. We were required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who needed them. In my role as disability coordinator, I helped create a plan for each employee who requested one. I also trained managers on how to handle requests from their teams.”

Do you have experience working with government agencies?

The hiring manager may ask this question to see if you have experience working with government agencies and how your previous work experience compares to the role. If you don’t have any experience, consider what skills you gained from that job that would help you succeed in this one.

Example: “I’ve never worked for a government agency before, but I do have some experience working with them. In my last position as disability coordinator, we had an issue where our clients were waiting too long for their benefits. We contacted the state department of health services, who helped us create a new system to streamline the application process. The new system reduced wait times by 50%.”

When is it appropriate to ask a client for proof of their disability?

Employers may ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of privacy and confidentiality when working with clients. In your answer, explain that it is important to only request proof if you need it for a specific reason. You can also mention that you would never share any information about a client’s disability with anyone else unless they give you permission.

Example: “I believe it is always best to err on the side of caution when handling private information. I would only ever ask for proof if I needed it for a specific purpose like verifying their identity or confirming their eligibility for services. I would never share any information about a client’s disability with anyone else without their explicit consent.”

We want to improve our accessibility. How would you implement changes to make our company more accessible for disabled clients?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with a team. Your answer should include steps you would take to make the company more accessible for disabled clients, as well as how you would communicate these changes to employees.

Example: “I would first assess what areas of the building are inaccessible for wheelchairs. I would then create a plan to make those areas wheelchair accessible. For example, if there’s only one entrance to the building that isn’t wheelchair accessible, I would suggest adding ramps or elevators to the front door. I would also want to ensure all bathrooms in the building were ADA compliant.”

Describe your process for conducting an accessibility audit.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your audit process and how you apply it in the workplace. Use examples from previous work experience to describe what steps you take when conducting an accessibility audit, including any tools or resources you use during the process.

Example: “I start by identifying a project that I can assess for accessibility issues. Then, I research the client’s website and other digital properties to determine if there are any barriers to access. After assessing the site, I create a list of recommendations for improving accessibility on the client’s website. I also provide a timeline for implementing these changes.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may choose to focus on a specific skill like communication or organization.

Example: “I have excellent organizational skills, which is why I am able to keep track of so many details at once. In my previous role as disability coordinator, I was responsible for managing the entire process of filing claims with insurance companies. This included gathering all necessary documentation, submitting paperwork and following up with clients to ensure they were satisfied with the service.”

Which disabilities do you have experience working with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with disabilities and how you might fit into their organization. If you have personal experience with a disability, share that information first. If not, consider sharing which disabilities you’ve worked with in the past to show your understanding of the challenges they present.

Example: “I have dyslexia myself, so I understand the challenges it presents for learning and reading. In my previous role as an academic advisor, I helped students who were struggling with their studies due to dyslexia by providing them with extra time on exams and assignments. I also provided support services like note-taking assistance and tutoring when needed.”

What do you think is the most important thing a disability coordinator can do to help their clients?

This question can help the interviewer understand your values and how you would approach this role. Your answer should reflect a commitment to helping people with disabilities achieve their goals, whether that’s finding employment or getting an education.

Example: “I think the most important thing a disability coordinator can do is listen to their clients. I know from personal experience that it can be difficult to navigate the healthcare system, especially when you’re dealing with chronic pain or other issues. The best coordinators are empathetic and compassionate, which helps them find solutions for their clients.”

How often should you check in with clients?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how often you will be in contact with clients. They want to know that you are available when needed and can respond quickly to any questions or concerns a client might have. In your answer, explain the frequency of communication you plan to have with clients and what methods you’ll use to stay in touch.

Example: “I believe it’s important to check in with clients at least once per month. I would do so by phone call or email depending on their preference. If they need anything between monthly check-ins, I would send them an email asking if everything is okay. This way, I’m always making sure my clients are happy and getting the support they need.”

There is a new treatment that may help a client’s disability. How would you decide whether or not to recommend it to them?

This question can help an interviewer understand your decision-making process and how you apply it to the best interests of clients. Use examples from past experience that show you are able to make informed decisions based on research, data and client input.

Example: “I would first do my own research into the treatment to learn more about its benefits and risks. I would then speak with a medical professional who has experience using this treatment to get their opinion on whether or not it is appropriate for the client. Finally, I would discuss the treatment with the client to see if they are interested in learning more about it. If they agree to try it, I would monitor their progress regularly to ensure it’s working as expected.”