[humanser] Drivers license requirement for employment

Wed Oct 16 05:15:03 UTC 2013

I agree that sometimes you can disclose and somethimes you can't disclose. 
When I was interviewing, I typically didn't disclose my disability before 
the interview, except with my dog.  Let's say I was making a appointment for 
an interview over the phone.  I'd wait until just near the end of the 
conversation and then I'd tell the person on the phone that I was bringing a 
dog.  I didn't make a big deal about it but, I felt that if an interviewer 
was afraid of dogs or alergic, it might prejudice the interview.  Then, when 
I got to the interview, I'd take my dog into the office with me because I 
felt that if an employer was going to hire me, he or she was going to hire 
my dog, too.

I've also had interviews where I knew the interviewer was prejudiced but, I 
still went to the interview.  One time, an interviewer said a blind person 
couldn't do the paperwork and my Rehab. Counselor and I took my CCTV, my 
dog, and me to the intervview.  Even after I proved I could do the paperwork 
with my CCTV, he still didn't consider me for the position.  Let's face it, 
blind persons have to have it more together than anyone else interviewing 
for a position and we can't take it personally if we don't get a position 
but, we just have to keep on trying.

One more thing.  I agree that it's very important that a blind person has 
confidence.  I once took a class on becoming employed.  One of my 
assignments was to do a mock interview.  I found hat, as JD said, knowing 
how to enter the office independently, shake hands and keep eye contact, 
find my seat, and where to put my cane was very important.  There are so 
many things to be aware of when interviewing.  It's sad that we have to play 
those games but, it depends on how badly we want the position.

I hope this helps anyone planning to interview for a position.  Dressing for 
success helps, too.  I always wore a business outfit to every interview.

Regards,

Denise

-----Original Message----- 
From: justin williams
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 9:16 PM
To: 'Sandy' ; 'Human Services Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [humanser] Drivers license requirement for employment

There are times when you should disclose before an interview, and times when
you shouldn't.  It behooves you to know when to disclose; and if you don't,
it's not a deception.

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sandy
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 12:00 AM
To: Human Services Mailing List
Subject: Re: [humanser] Drivers license requirement for employment

JD,

I agree with you as I have not told ahead of an interview that I am a blind
person.  There are some, including one businessman I know, who thinks we are
deceiving people when we do not disclose blindness prior to an interview.

Sandy

--------------------------------------------------
From: "JD Townsend" <43210 at Bellsouth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 10:29 PM
To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [humanser] Drivers license requirement for employment

>
>
> Sadly some folks are prejudice on the outset.  I took a 2 hour trip
> for an interview once and the interviewer told me at the door that the
> job was too intense for me, without even letting me speak;  seems my
> white cane said all she wanted to know.
>
> I learned after many interviews that I had to compete not as a blind
> applicant, but as the best applicant.  Some people tell an interviewer
> on the outset that they are blind or visually impaired, but I have
> never seen the wisdom in this.  I find that the initial hand-shake and
> the walk down long corridors to the interview room, finding my seat
> and addressing the real issues of the job have served me well.  When I
> have taken this attitude, ignoring my blindness as an issue, the
> interviews have gone much better.  I tell the interviewer that I
> dislike paperwork, but that I sleep much better when it is up to date;
> should they ask me how I do it I say that I have PC add-ons that have
> served me well in the past and that it should not be a problem with
> whatever system they are using.  Should they ask about transportation
> I tell them that I got here on my own and on time and that I should
> have no problem.  It isn't my job to explain about adaptive equipment
> or transportation, just that I can do the job, then I re-focus on my
> strengths as a clinical social worker and how I might fit my skills into
serving the agency.
>
> If we allow disability or adaptations to become a focus of an
> interview instead of our skills and work ethic we have no chance for
employment.
>
> Just my opinion, sorry for the lecture.
>
> JD
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> humanser mailing list
> humanser at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> humanser:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/sandraburgess%40
> msn.com
>

_______________________________________________
humanser mailing list
humanser at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
humanser:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gma
il.com

_______________________________________________
humanser mailing list
humanser at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
humanser:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/denise.shaible%40att.net 