[Nfb-science] How and When to Let Prospective Employers Know About Vision Loss

[Brian Buhrow]

	Hello.  I agree with most of what Mike Freeman said except that I
would suggest disclosing when you arrive at the interview rather than
before the interview itself.  While it may be the case that if an employer
is going to discriminate they're going to do it whether or not you get to
the interview, I've found that I'm able to make them feel much more
comfortable in person rather than letting them stew and worry about  what
might be between the time of disclosure and the interview itself. I've done
it both  ways and I've found that letting them meet me and discovering my
blindness when they shake my hand really does work much better.
	Alo, keep in mind, that it may be that if you're going into a line of
work that is a result of your education, chances are good that your
prospective colleagues will know who you are and know of your blindness
before you even get the application turned in.  If this is true and you are
liked and respected by them, your blindness will still be an issue, but it
will be one everyone is willing to work around and accomodate as best they
can.  Again, your confidence and comfort level with your blindness will set
the tone for everyone to follow.  If you don't let it get in your way, they
won't either.

Hope that helps.
-Brian

On Apr 27,  3:52pm, "Mike Freeman" wrote:
} Subject: Re: [Nfb-science] How and When to Let Prospective Employers Know 
} Christine:
} 
} Whether to disclose one's blindness depends upon what jobs you are seeking
} and, of course, on your preference. In the case of jobs with the Federal
} government, it is to your advantage to disclose blindness on the application
} as you are then eligible for being hired on Schedule A which is a much less
} onerous process -- both for you and for those hiring you.
} 
} In most other cases, I advise disclosing your blindness -- and I would call
} it that and if pressed, say you had some remaining vision if this is so --
} after you've been scheduled for an interview. I know some people advocate
} hitting the employer cold but I believe this to be counterproductive. After
} all, you may have to discuss what systems and software are being used and
} whether these can be made accessible and/or what reasonable accommodations
} you might need. Be prepared to answer questions about your blindness both
} before the interview and while it is being conducted but try to steer the
} conversation so that your blindness isn't the sole subject of the interview
} because this short-changes your opportunity to convince the interviewer that
} you are the right person for the job etc.
} 
} Get the interview invitation in writing (email is okay) and, after
} disclosure of your blindness, if there are suddenly no positions available
} for you, get this in written form also. This lays the groundwork for legal
} action should this become necessary.
} 
} Some employers are sufficiently savvy to be reluctant to put things in
} writing if they are prejudiced kbut it looks pretty squirrely if they won't
} do this.
} 
} Good luck!
} 
} Mike Freeman
} 
} 
} -----Original Message-----
} From: Nfb-science [mailto:nfb-science-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
} Christine Szostak
} Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2013 3:21 PM
} To: social-sciences-list at nfbnet.org; NFB Science and Engineering Division
} List
} Subject: [Nfb-science] How and When to Let Prospective Employers Know About
} Vision Loss
} 
} Hi All,
}   I am on the job market right now, and am wondering if others hear could
} share when they noted their vision loss (e.g. during the application, after
} the application but before the interview, during the interview, after
} accepting the job...) with prospective employers. Also, how did you approach
} the subject? In other words, how did you let the  prospective employer know
} of your vision loss (e.g., terminology used, how it was brought up...).
} Many thanks,
} Christine
} Christine M. Szostak
} Doctoral Candidate and Research Consultant
} Language Perception Laboratory
} Department of Psychology, Cognitive Area
} The Ohio State University
} Columbus, Ohio
} szostak.1 at osu.edu
} www.soundresearchconsulting.wordpress.com
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>-- End of excerpt from "Mike Freeman"