Return to Work & Volunteering

Supporting work and volunteer success

Injuries can affect a person’s ability to work or volunteer. When a person is not able to return to work or volunteering immediately after an injury, they may feel lonely or cut off from others, along with anxiety and a loss of confidence. Returning to work and volunteering once you are medically cleared is an important step in the recovery process.

Benefits of working and volunteering include enjoyable activities and colleagues, a regular routine, getting out of the house, and a sense of purpose or accomplishment.
Benefits of working also include financial stability, including income and health benefits.
Benefits of volunteering also include the opportunity to give back to others while doing things you enjoy, flexible schedules, preparation for the demands of a job as a step toward returning to work, and the potential to try different roles and job duties to help plan next steps if you decide to return to work.

Whether you already have a job, are looking for a job, or are planning to volunteer, talk to your healthcare provider or vocational specialist about how to return safely and successfully.

Reasonable accommodations

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are changes to a job or the work setting to assist people with disabilities in performing their job duties.

If you believe you need reasonable accommodations, ask your healthcare provider or a vocational specialist to help you figure out what accommodations are needed.

Check out these free resources to learn more about getting back to work and volunteering:

Additionally, resources for veterans include: