Posts Tagged ‘disability’

I’ve got a disability that’s not obvious to anyone but that can occasionally make it hard for me to work. It is usually controlled by medication, but that’s not 100 percent reliable. Is this something I should disclose during a job interview?

Dear Readers,

If you are a job seeker wrestling with this question, you are not alone. Depending on who is doing the estimating, somewhere between 17 and 32 million people of working age (16-64) have a disability. As defined by the U.S Census, a disability is “a condition that limits or prevents working.”  Even almost two decades after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was drafted to provide equal opportunity to people with disabilities, this group has among the highest unemployment rate in the U.S.

Whether you are disabled or not, take a minute to think about the various ways a disability can affect someone. An enlightening chart in Richard Nelson Bolles’ book, Job Hunting for the So-called Handicapped (Ten Speed Press, 2001), may broaden your perspective. Under the heading, “No Two Disabled Persons Are Alike,” the chart lists some of the variables. For example, some disabilities are hidden while others are visible. They may range from mild to moderate to severe to profound. They may have occurred at birth (congenital) or after age five (adventitious). They may affect one’s ability to see, hear, speak, move, think or learn, or feel or behave. In areas that are not affected, the disabled person may be normally or extraordinarily gifted. The disability may be viewed either as a disaster or a challenge, and it  may result in social isolation or support.

If you have a disability that is not always apparent, deciding whether to disclose it to a prospective employer can be a difficult decision. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers a worksheet on its website that can help anyone think through this issue, whether you are wrestling with a permanent disability or temporary medical condition. It lists possible emotional reasons you may want to keep the condition to yourself (I feel guilty.), or tell others (I feel dishonest – I’m just not comfortable keeping it a secret.). It lists practical reasons to consider as well (Examples: I need to take time off for medical appointments; I’m afraid of a bad job evaluation; I need an on-the-job accommodation; or I need a medical leave of absence.)

The MS Society’s accompanying “Disclosure Decision Worksheet” helps people chart the possible positive and negative consequences of your decision, based on why you are informing your employer, whom you tell, and how much you say.

If you decide to disclose your condition, or you have no choice because it’s readily apparent, Bolles lists numerous employer fears that you should plan to address. Among them, along with his advice, are the following:

It may cost more to hire this person: If hiring you will entail no extra costs, make that clear. If you will require some accommodations that cost money, lay out the expected expenses and provide an upper ceiling on what it will cost, expressing your commitment to come in at or under that figure.

I don’t understand the disability, and I’m afraid to ask: Ask the interviewer if they have any questions. Explain what you do well, what your limitations are, and list the things that you’ve learned through being disabled.

Won’t this person be a safety hazard?: Share your past safety record.

What if it doesn’t work out and I have to fire her. Am I inviting a lawsuit?: Explain that people with disabilities are fired at the same rate as everyone else.

This applicant may have trouble communicating with other employees: Make sure that you are articulate and animated during your interview. Demonstrating your communication skills is the most effective way to allay fears along these lines.

What if a person with a history of mental illness turns violent on the job?: Discuss a potentially volatile situation in the past that you handled with aplomb.

Still up in the air? Additional information and guidance can be found from the Job Accommodation Network, a government-funded website that covers job accommodations, self-employment, and small business opportunities. Another useful source is the Epilepsy Foundation of America.