[nabs-l] Disclosing That I am Blind on job/internship application process?

[Joe]

Miso,

With one exception, I've never disclosed my disability in a job application,
and the exception was working a summer camp for the Iowa Department for the
Blind. The only time this bit me in the ass was once when they required a
writing exam, but even then we found a way to move the test onto a thumb
drive and loaded it into my laptop. Yes, it's caught people off guard when
I've shown up with a dog or cane, but what I'll do toward the end of the
interview is acknowledge there are laws that prohibit questions about
disabilities but that I want to be able to answer whatever uncertainties
they may have. I've generally brought along my laptop for a screen reader
demonstration if they'd like it and a Braille notetaker to show the kind of
equipment I can bring along to get the job done. For something like this, I
don't know that there is a right or wrong answer. I do know there's no
definitive way of proving whether or not blindness can disqualify someone
from advancing in an application process if the applicant self-discloses out
of the gate, so with that in mind, it seems logical to wait at least until
before the interview, if you do self-disclose, to be able to keep a little
more control on your side of the table. Bryan's post I thought was excellent
and a real practical way of handling self-disclosure.

Joe

--
Musings of a Work in Progress:
www.JoeOrozco.com/

Twitter: @ScribblingJoe


-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Miso Kwak via
nabs-l
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2015 3:11 AM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Cc: Miso Kwak
Subject: [nabs-l] Disclosing That I am Blind on job/internship application
process?

Hello everyone,
What are your thoughts about disclosing our blindness when applying to
internships and/or jobs?
I currently have a job (which is my first official job) so I have done it
once, but I had an easy way.
My blindness was a major factor in being hired because I work for making an
accessible campus map for my university. I got recruited because I was a
blind student who was active on campus, so I did not have to think about
when and how to disclose my blindness.
I am currently applying to different internships with hope of getting one to
complete one of my minor requirements.
So I am a bit confused and concerned on how I should handle disclosing that
I am blind.
Would you do it on case by case basis?
For instance, if you were applying to an organization that mainly serves
blind client, would you disclose that you are blind, whereas, if you were
applying for a corporate internship or a baby sitting job, you would not?
I'd just like to hear your thoughts on this matter.
Thank you in advance.
Miso Kwak



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