For a person with a disability, how and when to disclose that disability, can be a sensitive issue. The first thing you should ask yourself is “Can I do the job?”. If your disability doesn’t affect job performance, then don’t include it on your resume. Don’t bring it up at an interview unless you have to. People with noticeable disabilities may want to disclose the disability at an interview. Each person needs to do what they feel comfortable with. INDEX has put together some resources to help you with making that decision.
Disclosure Decisions TO GET THE JOB (pdf)
This resource has information on disability disclosure to help you decide if you have a reason to disclose and when to disclose to an employer.
Three steps to disclosing on a job:
- Choose HOW to disclose
- Decide WHEN to disclose
- Determine NEED to disclose
Should You Disclose a Disability on Your Resume?
Three reasons not to disclose:
- Fewer interviews
- A reason to screen you out
- Under the ADA, you don’t have to say anything
Discussing Your Disability with Job Interviewers and Possible Employers
Some things to think about disclosure include reasonable accommodations, visible disabilities and company culture.
US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Affirmative Action and EEO Self Identification Form
Should you self-identify disability, race, gender or other information? This includes disability discrimination and reasonable accommodations.
The ADA: Your Employment Rights as an Individual With a Disability
To be protected under the ADA, you must have, have a record of, or be regarded as having a substantial, as opposed to a minor, impairment. A substantial impairment is one that significantly limits or restricts a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for oneself, learning or working.
Recruiting, Hiring, Retaining and Promoting People with Disabilities
A resource guide for employers. Job seekers may want to read this too.
Tools for Finding Employment: Disclosing a Visual Impairment
When—if ever—to disclose your disability to a potential or current employer is one of the most difficult issues people with visual impairments and disabilities deal with during the employment process.
Do Ask, Do Tell: Encouraging Employees with Disabilities to Self-Identify (PDF)
The Conference Board is a global, independent business membership and research association working in the public interest.
Why You Should Self-Identify If You Have a Disability
There are a number of good reasons to self-identify if you have a disability. It benefits both your career prospects and federal contractors, who are required to make hiring disabled workers a priority.
United States Department of Labor: Disability Inclusion Starts with You Video
This video explains why companies doing business with the federal government ask job applicants and employees to voluntarily self-identify if they have a disability, and the important role that self-identifying plays in ensuring equal employment opportunity for people with disabilities.
Forbes: Tips For Disclosing A Disability To An Employer
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) forbids employers from discrimination against people with disabilities and demands they provide reasonable accommodations when necessary.
