[nfbcs] Fake Cover Letters Expose Discrimination Against Disabled

[Robert Spangler]

That's why I follow that philosophy.  People have fears of the unknown and,
while it's not acceptable, we can fully understand why they may just choose
not to deal with us if we disclose in advance.  In many circumstances, they
are turning down a great candidate but, at the same time, due to ignorance
and lack of awareness, we can hardly blame someone for having that reaction.


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brian Buhrow via
nfbcs
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2016 2:15 PM
To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Brian Buhrow <buhrow at nfbcal.org>
Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Fake Cover Letters Expose Discrimination Against
Disabled

	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


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