[nfbcs] Fake Cover Letters Expose Discrimination Against Disabled

[Brian Buhrow]

	hello.  I've been following this discussion with interest and not
contributing.  I don't have a lot of time to say much now, but I will offer
that my policy has been not to disclose until I get to the interview.  Like
someone said upthread, I don't go out of my way to hide my blindness, but I
also don't advertise either.  My rationale for my policy is that I can
manage people in person much better than I can control them from affar.
That is, if I meet you and you learn that I'm blind when we meet, I can
address your fears, concerns and discomfort in the moment.  If you know in
advance, I don't know what you're thinking and can't help calm those fears
that come to you in the night.  Those fears are normal, and if they grow
too big, by the time you meet me, there's nothing I can do.
	I've now ben continuously employed for over 20 years and I've gotten
my jobs in various ways, mostly through personal contacts.  As a result,
I've not had to worry about the disclosure question too much.  However, one
job I landed was through a head hunter, and by not disclosing until I got
to the interview, I was able to address the employer's very real concerns.
I'll note that while that job didn't last very long, I made my employer a
heap of money while I was there and they were extremely happy with me and
my work.  I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have been willing to interview me
if they'd known I was blind in advance.  In fact, they almost told me that
one day.

-Brian