[Job-Discussions] Disclosing about your visual impairment

Thu May 20 13:09:34 UTC 2021

I see your point Sandra but I still don’t think it’s appropriate until they see you face-to-face. We’re bringing in the cane that gives them an opportunity to ask questions and if they don’t well done you you work it into the conversation. You get to learn a lot about the company and the person bye not disclosing until the interview. After all you’re not just being interviewed you’re interviewing them as well. You find out how much of a positive attitude the company has. They can put it in the ads but when you walk in smiling and bubbly and cheerful not pitiful and sorrowful and desperate you show them that your disability doesn’t bother you. I let the cane speak for itself and talk about it in the accommodations I might need by asking questions about the position. I disclose it an interview that seems to be going quite well about my apple Epsie if I feel it’s to be a possible issue. Mines in control 98% of the time so that’s why I don’t always talk about the epilepsy.

Ericka Nelson

> On May 19, 2021, at 5:38 PM, Sandra Gayer via Job-Discussions <job-discussions at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> PS,
> If someone doesn't say anything until interview, the first thing I
> would think is, this is pretty big, why didn't he/she say something
> earlier? What else have they kept to themselves/lied about?
> 
> Very best wishes,
> Sandra.
> 
>> On 5/19/21, Sandra Gayer <sandragayer7 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 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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>>>> 
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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
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 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
> 
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