[Job-Discussions] Disclosing about your visual impairment

[Jess Shek]

Thank you so much everyone for your thoughts.

Regarding Sandra's view, yes I thought about the perspective of being
rude by not disclosing the visual impairment upfront. However, in Hong
Kong, people's mindset are still not that open enough to think of
hiring a person with a disability. And from my experience, when I
disclose my blindness upfront when first contacted by recruiter, they
hesitated, and ended up I would not hear from them anymore even though
I follow up with them. Also I think a job applicant has the
responsibility to think about if they can really do the job before
making their application. For example, as a totally blind person, I
will not apply for jobs such as driver, hairdresser and so on :)

Yes I agree with Nicole and the other's views that it's a personal
decision. Really thank you so much everyone for sharing with me your
thoughts. Indeed, I will check the relevant laws here in Hong Kong to
see if job seekers must disclose their disabilities. My friend ended
up lost her offer, as the employer thought that it's a problem for her
not disclosing her disabiility, that they were in doubt with her
integrity.

Thank you everyone once again, and happy to hear more of your thoughts.

Cheers,
Jess

On 5/20/21, nmpbrat at aol.com <nmpbrat at aol.com> wrote:
> Jess,I really think it is a personal choice and know of people doing it both
> ways.  I have always chosen to disclose at the interview for the very reason
> you described in your message... that the employer would feel as though I
> was not honest with them.  I felt that even though I'd have the job, it
> could put a damper on the new relationship between myself and the employer.
> I also felt that if an employer really didn't want me because of my visual
> impairment and couldn't see past it to see all that I could offer them, then
> I didn't want to work for them anyway. I want to work for people who can at
> least respect me for the person that I am and can see past the disability.
> When I disclosed, I always tried to put a spin on it that would hopefully
> put them at ease and encouraged them to ask questions so that I could deal
> with any misconceptions they might have.  I also understand why many people
> are hesitant to disclose, as I am also keenly aware of the fact that there
> is still rampant discrimination in the area of employment and it can be very
> discouraging to be repeatedly rejected simply because of your disability
> without being given the opportunity to prove you can in fact do the job.  So
> I do see both sides of the coin.  Ultimately, each individual has to decide
> what they can live with.  Just my 2 cents.  Nicole
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jess Shek via Job-Discussions <job-discussions at nfbnet.org>
> To: job-discussions at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Jess Shek <jessshek at gmail.com>
> Sent: Wed, May 19, 2021 11:12 am
> 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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