[Job-Discussions] Disclosing about your visual impairment

[Kelsey Nicolay]

Hello,
This is an interesting question. I agree about not disclosing your blindness on the resume. Here is how I look at it. If no assessments are needed as part of the application process, I usually wait until the face to face interview, although with COVID and virtual interviews, it can be a bit tricky to know when to disclose your blindness. I think waiting until you have an offer is perfectly appropriate. Of course, if pre-employment testing is needed, that’s a whole different issue. You should always try to complete the assessments on your own first, then if you find that the tests aren’t accessible (most aren’t), then it is prefectly acceptable to request an accommodation. 

Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone 

> On May 19, 2021, at 12:21 PM, Justin Williams via Job-Discussions <job-discussions at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Under the americans with disabilities act, your friend with low vision, or
> anyone else with a disability is not obligated to inform the employer of
> this at all unless they want or need accommodations. In order to get
> accommodations, they must disclose if they want the employer to allow and or
> extend any accommodations.  If at anytime during the application process
> accommodations are needed, then the applicant myst disclose.  So, your
> friend is not obligated to disclose unless she needs accommodations.  
> Thanks,
> 
> Justin
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Job-Discussions [mailto:job-discussions-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Jess Shek via Job-Discussions
> Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 11:12 AM
> To: job-discussions at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Jess Shek <jessshek at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Job-Discussions] Disclosing about your visual impairment
> 
> Dear All,
> 
> I have come across questions about when to disclose their visual impairment
> when applying for jobs.
> 
> A lot of them (including myself) will not disclose their visual impairment
> in the resume, and also in the initial chat with employers until the
> face-to-face interview taking place, as there will be chances that your
> application will be totally ignored.
> 
> One of my low-visioned friend only told the employer about her visual
> impairment after she got an offer from the employer. She told the employer
> as accommodations are needed. But the employer felt that this was an
> integrity issue, that they thought that my friend should have informed them
> about the visual impairment prior to the offer is given.
> And my friend felt that since just slight accommodations is needed (e.g.
> having a bigger monitor), she doesn't think she should let the employer
> know, as from her past experience, employers will not consider her
> application when she mentions to them her visual impairment during the
> hiring process.
> 
> Could I seek your view on that, i.e. when is the best time to tell employers
> about the applicant's visual impairment? And, if no accommodation is needed
> (e.g. for a low-visioned person), do you think he/she needs not tell the
> employer about his/her visual impairment?
> 
> Many thanks in advance!
> 
> Cheers,
> Jess
> 
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