Advice about disclosure...
It depends largely on whether it's a hidden or visible disability according to the research.
Note:
The following is is not my advice, it is research from an article.
Whether to Disclose/Acknowledge Disability
People’s opinions about disclosure were strongly influenced by the nature of their disabilities, including visibility, stigma associated with the disability, and number of disabilities.
They also made decisions about disclosure based on the type of organization and their perceptions about the “disability-friendliness” of the culture.
Visible Disabilities
In general, people with more visible disabilities, including those who used wheelchairs, white canes, or other assistive devices, thought it was important to discuss their disability early in the employment process, usually during the job interview.
People with obvious disabilities characterized discussion with employers as an acknowledgement more than a disclosure of disability.
They took the opportunity to put the interviewer at ease and to proactively emphasize how they handle their disabilities so they do not affect doing the job well.
Hidden Disabilities
About one-third of respondents reported having a disability that other people might not recognize. People with hidden disabilities characterized disability disclosure as a personal choice.
Some of them openly disclosed their hidden disability in the job interview just like those with visible disabilities, using the interview as a chance to explain how they would do the job with a disability.
Those who revealed their non-visible disability in job interviews were also generally open with coworkers, and they thought that revealing their disability and requesting accommodations made it easier to get promotions.
Disclosure Decisions
In the research the focus group results showed that there was often a tension between those who advocated open disclosure and discussion of disability with potential employers and those who chose not to disclose at all or to disclose rarely.
To those with obvious disabilities, the issue seemed fairly simple.
And although the groups on the whole advocated proactive discussion of disability with employers, they also stressed that each person and each situation is unique.
They urged each person with a disability to develop a narrative that emphasizes his or her strengths (whether or not disability is disclosed).
Do you have any thoughts on this research about disclosure? Anybody got other advice about disclosure?
