[nabs-l] Job seekers- disclosing disability

Sat Apr 18 19:17:07 UTC 2009

Sarah,

In regard to your question about being expected to act as a sighted 
person, I often find that sighted persons tend to expect me to use 
vision if they think I have enough of it rather than let me use the 
techniques that work for me. For example, my mother freaked out when I 
started wearing dark glasses because she feared they would compromise 
my already impaired vision. If indeed they do, I doubt there's much of 
a practical difference in 5.0 percent in my better eye versus 4.99999 
percent in the same eye with dark glasses. My step dad didn't want me 
to use blindness techniques while watching my niece because he felt my 
low vision was far superior. So he forbad me to wear dark glasses 
(which I use for light sensativity) and turned up the lights as high as 
they could go so I could presumably see my niece better. If this were 
an employment situation, I probably could have sued. As another 
example, a job agency wanted to introduce me to employers as visually 
impaired and not blind (since they knew I have some vision) so as to 
increase my chances of getting hired. The only problem is that the 
employer might expect me to see more than I can, and I have no desire 
to educate on that level. So, simply saying that I use blindness 
techniques gives me a little more control over how I'll do things at 
any given time. Making such a statement also makes it clear that the 
amount of vision one has is not directly related to have much a person 
can do. I think that's why we blind people are often asked about visual 
acuity in the first place. The more sight you have, the more you can do 
and the less different from the sighted you are. You know what I mean?
Original message:

> Hi Jedi,
> I really like these suggestions. I'm just confused by what you mean
> when you say "I also don't want
> them to expect me to act as a sighted person when I'm not." I'm in the
> process of looking for a summer job so I'll definitely take your great
> ideas to heart.
> Sarah
> Quoting Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net>:

>> Hi.

>> The article provided regards Brittish laws surrounding disability which
>> are a little different from American laws. The ADA does specify that
>> employers cannot ask you about your disabilities at any point in the
>> process. or rather, that they should not. Unfortunately, they often do.
>> Here's my philosophy on disclosure.

>> There are some of us whose blindness will be more obvious depending on
>> the job we're asking to fill, our past experience, and any schools we
>> attended. for example, if you worked at Random City Society for the
>> Blind, and your job experience at RCSB makes you qualified for the job
>> you're applying for, it makes sense to mention it. If you attended
>> Random State School for the Blind and it's relevant to your resume,
>> then mention it. I often add my participation at the Louisiana Center
>> for the Blind for two reasons. first, it points to my educational
>> experiences. Second, it offers a perfect shoe-in to discuss how I'll do
>> the job as a blind person. All this said, it's certainly not a good
>> idea to make blindness the central focus of your resume unless it makes
>> sense to do so such as in cases where you might be applying to fill the
>> post at Random City Society for the Blind.

>> At the interview. I personally don't find it helpful when employers ask
>> how much I can see. I find that the focus moves in a negative direction
>> when this happens. They may be curious, but they're also subconsciously
>> equating sight with ability. I also don't want them to expect me to act
>> as a sighted person when I'm not. I want to make it clear that I am
>> indeed a blind person with some residual vision who uses blindness
>> techniques, not visual ones. i also want to make it clear that my use
>> of blindness techniques will not hamper me. I also personally feel that
>> first meetings are not the appropriate time and place to discuss the
>> inner workings of a medical condition. so, when an employer asks me,
>> "How much can you see?" I  have a few responses ready. If the vibe is
>> good, I may ask why they're interested in knowing. Then, I can figure
>> out what their real questions are. A lot of the time, the question is,
>> "How are you going to do X?" so, I tell them how i'll do X. If the vibe
>> is bad, it's probably not going to work out anyway. But, if I'm stuck
>> having to educate, I'll simply say something like "just enough to get
>> me into trouble, but not enough to get me out." Then, I'll launch into
>> a brief explanation about how I'll do the job as a blind person.

>> I have a strong preference for self acommodation where possible. For
>> those of us who use Braille note takers, it's a good idea to pack it
>> along in case you're required to do a writing test. If an internet
>> connection is available, use it to e-mail the perspective boss the
>> writing sample while you're still there. Hopefully, the boss will smile
>> upon this arrangement. This is also a great way to show how you will
>> solve accessibility problems. Also, for those with reading machines,
>> particularly the KNFB Reader Mobile, bring it along since it has
>> internet capability that will let you e-mail word attachments uploaded
>> from your note taker and since it can read print and help you convert
>> anything you may have to read out loud into Braille. If you're good
>> with your technology, this process can be really efficient. If you
>> don't have said technology, then it may prompt you to disclose your
>> disability sooner so you can get appropriate acommodations. Otherwise,
>> it may be useful to list your acommodations in your cover letter in
>> case the employer wants you to do something at the interview.

>> A word on blindness skills. I personally think it's a great idea to
>> know braille in case one has to read out loud (which can happen). I
>> also recommend being comfortable with a cane or guide dog because
>> confident travelers look good to employers. My next bit of advice may
>> be controversial, but I would not recommend taking paratransit to an
>> interview. This arrangement may be just fine when you get the job, but
>> I'd start out with a cab or driver to avoid stereotypes. If weather is
>> poor, I would also recommend a cab or driver if you ordinarily take the
>> bus. That way, you look fresh and nice at the interview. Taking cabs
>> may also reduce personal stress. I don't know about you, but I'm a poor
>> traveler when I experience anxiety (I get distracted), and I'd hate to
>> be late for getting lost. By the way, I also recommend you feel
>> comfortable with cooking and serving if you're getting a job in food
>> service. again, travel skills are helpful.

>> A word on appearances. I would highly recommend brushing your dog well
>> before an interview and/or making sure your cane doesn't look like hell
>> when you show up. Battle scars on canes are great for convention
>> stories, but not for job interviews. Wear the best you have provided
>> that it's appropriate. I personally don't have a problem with piercings
>> and hair dye or tatoos. Unfortunately, others might. It's not a bad
>> idea to scope out the place before sending in an application to see if
>> your personal style is or isn't going to be a problem. I personally
>> think it would suck if you like to wear piercings but can't.

>> I did some research on job applications and interview practices
>> regarding people with disabilities. here are some signs that might
>> reduce your chances of discrimination. first, don't set your heart on
>> jobs that ask about disabilities or health conditions on their
>> applications. Chances are, they're looking at possible insurance
>> issues, and they may mistakingly think that you're a liability. Second,
>> go for small businesses run by people you have some network with; based
>> on my research, don't go for small business owners you don't know or
>> haven't got a network with since they're likely to discriminate and
>> there isn't much you can do about it. The better bet in general is to
>> go for large corperations and institutions with plenty of public
>> accountability. They're less likely to discriminate and will receive
>> public pressure if they do.

>> Naturally, much of this is my own opinion. Feel free to agree or
>> disagree. This has been a product of my experiences thus far. Any
>> additional info would be most welcome.
>> Original message:
>>> I was under the impression that employers were required to provide
>>> 'reasonable' accomidations.  This article seems to imply that they are not
>>> obligated if they did not know about your disability when they hired you.
>>> the law does not allow for employers to use your disibility at all in their
>>> selection process.  In OR i believe that employers aren't even allowed to
>>> ask about disabilities.  I imagine that one can extend the law to not allow
>>> for preference to be given to disabled applicants either since you would be
>>> choosing on non-relevant baseies.  Unfortunatly those of us with physical
>>> disabilities have less choice about disclosure then other potentionally
>>> disabled applicants.  Joseph has said to me that employers will be more
>>> likely to hire you if they can see how you would be able to forfill the
>>> position.  Convincing the employer of this can be hard.  It would seem that
>>> an interview would be a good place to discuss this, but you would much
>>> prefer that the interview focused on your own skills and not details that
>>> should not effect their desision.
>>> Just my two cents,
>>> Bill VP
>>> Oregon Association of Blind Students
>>> 503-768-8982
>>> cassonw at gmail.com

>>> On Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 1:24 PM, Jim Reed <jim275_2 at yahoo.com> wrote:

>>>> Hey all,

>>>> As the summer-job seeking season is upon us, and as the economy forces
>>>> others out of work, I thought the following would be useful to some of
>>>> you. It deals with how/when to disclose your blindness to an employer.

>>>> http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_jsdisc.hcsp

>>>> I Hope some find it useful. I have an interview tomarrow with Montana Fish,
>>>> Wildlife, and Parks. I guess I will see how it works then.

>>>> Thanks,

>>>> Jim

>>>> "Ignorance killed the cat; curiosity was framed."

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>> --
>> REspectfully,
>> Jedi

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-- 
REspectfully,
Jedi

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