[humanser] Hi all, Fwd: To disclose or not disclose on internship apps

[Ericka]

Is anyone aware of the "ban the box "campaign to make it easier for criminals who have paid their time to get jobs? My community is starting to work towards this. I was thinking possibly if this becomes nationwide and change his attitude towards hiring people who've been through the "system ", it might open doors eventually for us because it changes stereotypes. What does everyone think? 

Ericka Short
"Friends are like flowers in the garden of life"

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 20, 2015, at 12:38 PM, Michael Abell via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello,
>    An internship should be treated the same as any job that you apply
> for. An individual would not disclose their blindness on a job application
> as this would create the opportunity for discrimination. If you are seeking
> a position as a music therapist, then you would only include highlights that
> inform the agency about your qualifications.
>    There is no "scarlet B" that needs to be put forth as a disclaimer
> for applicants. The only time that you would want to disclose information
> about a disability is when an accommodation is necessary. The important
> element for your application is your abilities and talents.
>    It should be mentioned to screen the job requirements for the
> position. If the job requires you need a valid driver's license, it would
> not be a position that you should consider. If the job asks you to visit
> multiple sites and provide your own transportation, that would be one that
> you could consider.
>    If blindness does not define us, then it should not be any more of a
> consideration than race, sexual orientation, or religion. Good luck in your
> future placement. I am sure that you will be great!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Michael "Big Dog" Abell
> 
> Helping individuals to find their eyes in the dark.
> (480) 369-0805
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kaiti
> Shelton via humanser
> Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 9:50 PM
> To: humanser at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Kaiti Shelton
> Subject: [humanser] Hi all, Fwd: To disclose or not disclose on internship
> apps
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Kaiti Shelton <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com>
> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2015 01:21:24 -0500
> Subject: To disclose or not disclose on internship apps
> To: musictherapistswithvisualimpairments
> <musictherapistswithvisualimpairments at yahoogroups.com>
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> I can start applying for national roster internship sites in January.
> I've already combed through the entire list and picked out the 18 that
> sounded the most appealing to me.  I even categorized them into tiers.
> I know I can have four applications out at a time, so they're in batches of
> four according to the level of preference I have for the sites.
> 
> My big question concerns whether or not I should disclose my blindness on
> internship applications. I know the standard practice is to not disclose
> information before the interview, but I'm wondering how solid that advice is
> given the field we are in and the nature of interviews now.  A lot of my
> older classmates participated in skype interviews/auditions rather than ones
> on-site, which could give me a disadvantage.  Sure, I could explain over
> skype how I do things and show the internship director some of my adaptive
> equipment if that issue arises, but it would not be as effective as doing it
> in person.
> They won't have an opportunity to observe me using a cane competently, or
> see me taking notes and referencing them from my notetaker.  I'm sure my
> professors might have some input here, but I am also sure that they would
> encourage me to seek out other sources for this information as I am their
> first blind student.  I don't want to be discounted before I have a shot at
> an interview, but could being upfront avoid possible pitfalls in the
> interview process if the internship director knows a little of what to
> expect?  Also, if the internship directly relates to my experiences should I
> disclose it then to show I have a possible edge in making empathetic
> connections with clients over a student music therapist who does not have
> prior experience with blindness, assistive technology, etc?  Thanks,
> 
> --
> Kaiti Shelton
> University of Dayton-Music Therapy
> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students 2013-Present Secretary, The
> National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division 2015-2016
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Kaiti Shelton
> University of Dayton-Music Therapy
> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students 2013-Present
> Secretary, The National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts
> Division 2015-2016
> 
> "You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back!"
> 
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