[Job-Discussions] Disclosing about your visual impairment

[Sandra Gayer]

Hello,
I feel it is frankly impolite to say nothing and arrive on someone's
doorstep with a cane or guide dog. It is a shock for the person
receiving the information, the same way it would surprise you if you
posted a job add for a driver and someone came to the interview with a
missing arm.

It's not what you say it's how you say it. I always disclose but I
make sure I frame it in such a way that the potential employer is
aware of how much of an asset my visual impairment is and, by
extension, the asset I could be to them and, most importantly, why I
am the best person for the job, better than other candidates.

Most people say, "I'm a good listener." How many of them can prove it
by referring to their day-to-day experiences of needing this skill for
routine tasks? Just an example to think about.

Very best wishes,
Sandra.

On 5/19/21, Kelsey Nicolay via Job-Discussions
<job-discussions at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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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-- 
Sandra Gayer DipABRSM, LRSM.

Soprano Singer
www.sandragayer.com

Broadcast Presenter
www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/music-box.html

Actor
www.visablepeople.com

Voiceover Artist
www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer