[Job-Discussions] Disclosing about your visual impairment

Thu May 20 13:29:14 UTC 2021

What reason do you have to think that your having a disability, or in this case, blindness is big?

Justin

From: Job-Discussions [mailto:job-discussions-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ericka via Job-Discussions
Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2021 9:10 AM
To: sandragayer7 at gmail.com; Job Discussions internet Mailing List <job-discussions at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ericka <dotwriter1 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Job-Discussions] Disclosing about your visual impairment

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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto:job-discussions at nfbnet.org> 

Cc: Jess Shek <jessshek at gmail.com <mailto: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.

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www.sandragayer.com <http://www.sandragayer.com> 

Broadcast Presenter
www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/music-box.html <http://www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/music-box.html> 

Actor
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