Duke Career Center Disclosure in the Job Search Guide

This guide will cover the Why, Who, What, When, and How of disclosure, what to consider when identifying the accommodations you need in your prospective job, and your rights and responsibilities in regards to legal and ethical implications under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Why should I disclose or not disclose my disability?

When applying for jobs, it will be important to consider the pros and cons of disclosure. Determine your need to disclose based on the essential functions of a job. Remember that the employer only needs to know the information that will affect performance in the workplace and not a detailed medical history. Here are reasons to disclose or not disclose that will be good to weigh during this process.

Pros

Self-advocate and take control of how people perceive you
Develop mentoring and peer support structures
Access support and services needed to be successful in the job search
Identify resources specifically for disability-targeted services and support networks
Obtain information in developing a career plan that addresses barriers
Discuss employment requirements, accommodations process, and disability issues with recruiters to determine if you can meet needs of the position with or without accommodations
More open communication with employers and co-workers of your choosing about your needs to help prevent misunderstandings
Get appropriate and helpful accommodations
Receive legal protection against discrimination

Cons

Being defined by disability and not abilities
Experience exclusion from other co-workers*
Being treated differently than others or experience possible discrimination*
Overlooked for jobs, teams, groups or organizations*

* If the above experiences occur, you would have the right to seek legal recourse about discrimination, depending on the circumstance.

Who should I disclose to?

If you decide to disclose, it is important to identify who you would disclose to on a need-to-know basis. Communicating with individuals who are necessary to share information with, such as recruiters and individuals in charge of the accommodations process, might seem more comfortable to you. However, when deciding to disclose to others in your work, there might be more factors to consider. Remember, you have control over who you tell and how confidential you want your information to be. Determining your own comfort level with individuals is key. Here are examples of who you can inform about your disability.

At Duke

Career advisors
Student Disability Access Office
Academic advisors
Faculty
Staff
Campus mentors
Student organizations
Program departments or offices

During the hiring process

Human resources
Recruiters
Interviewers
Hiring managers/committee

On the job

Co-workers
Peers
Colleagues
Partners
Related industry professionals
Supervisor, manager, work mentor

Consider the following questions to help you decide whether or not to disclose to certain individuals.

What experience does this person have with similar disclosure situations?
Do I respect this person and trust they will keep disclosure confidential?
Does this person have the power to determine the reasonableness of the request for accommodations?
Can this person help me discuss/reflect on my disability in my future career?
Can this person provide accommodations?
Is this person responsible for hiring, firing or promoting?
Is this person in a supervisory role, and will they support me?

What do I disclose?

Here are tips on what to exactly disclose about your disability when the situation arises.

Focus on abilities and strengths rather than disabilities
General information about disability
Why you are disclosing disability, including impact on job performance
Accommodations that have worked in the past from previous positions
Types of accommodations you anticipate needing in the workplace
How disability and other life experiences positively affect work performance

When and how should I disclose in the job search process?

There are many stages within the job process in which you can disclose your disability. Outlined below are the advantages, disadvantages, and considerations of disclosing during a particular part of the application process.

In a Resume or Application

Advantages

Can be viewed as a positive trait in the hiring process
Peace of mind about being upfront with the employer about your disability
Better success in pre- interview timed testing required by some employers, especially if you have received accommodations for time in the past

Disadvantages

You do not have much space to explain how you live with your disability
Employers might be more cautious in choosing you to interview

Considerations

How well do you feel like you can write about your disability, focusing on strengths and maturity in how you have dealt with it?
Are you involved in some way with the community of people who also have your same disability? How can you discuss this in a positive way that shows self-awareness?

Examples

Member of the American Association of People with Disabilities
The position I am applying for in your department requires me to take a timed screening test. I have a disability and usually receive extra time for timed tests. Is there a way you can accommodate me?

In a Cover Letter

Advantages

You have more space to expand and explain how your disability has impacted your life
A non-pressure avenue to say exactly what you want employers to know about you and your disability
Peace of mind about being upfront with the employer about your disability

Disadvantages

Employers will start forming an impression of you before they meet you based off of what you write
Employers might attribute your disclosure as a risk

Considerations

What will you say or not say about your disability?
How will you discuss it in a way that shows ownership, responsibility and awareness?
How will you talk about the impact it has had on your life and how it affects your job performance?

Example

As an individual with a lifelong physical and speech disability, I learned early on to focus on my intellectual abilities and to develop strengths within my limits. For example, I received my first computer when I was 5 years old and learned to operate it independently. Today, I am proficient in many software applications, operating systems, and system troubleshooting.

Pre-Interview

Advantages

Access to accommodations if needed before an interview
Set expectations with employers so they will not be surprised or feel unequipped to accommodate you

Disadvantages

You might not be able to fully explain aspects of your disability in pre-interview situations that will encompass the extent of your message

Considerations

What accommodations will you need for the interview?
Can you get the interview agenda ahead of time to know what to request?
Can you speak to the employer who is organizing the on-site interview to get a better understanding of needs?

Example

I am calling to confirm my interview scheduled at your company in 2 days. Could you please tell me where to find your office’s accessible entrance?

During an Interview

Advantages

Honesty, peace of mind
Opportunity to respond to disability issues in person
Discrimination is less likely face-to-face

Disadvantages

Puts responsibility on you to handle disability related issues in a clear, non-threatening way
If you emphasize the issue too much you run the risk of focusing on your disability more than your abilities

Considerations

How comfortable are you discussing your disability?
Have you planned out how you will bring up the topic and what you will say?
Give examples of how you would perform the job
Show you can do the job with the right accommodations
Be positive, upbeat, and confident

Example

After the Interview, When the Job is Offered

Advantages

If the disability information changes the hiring decision, even when you know you can perform the job well, there would be the chance of legal recourse
Wanted to be selected based on skills and not have disability at the forefront of a hiring decision

Disadvantages

The employer might feel like you should have told them before the hiring decision was made
Could lead to distrust with the employer

Considerations

If the job requires medication testing and you take medications that will show up on the screening, you might choose to disclose to the employer
Evaluate your disability in relation to the job requirements
Explain how your disability will not interfere with the ability to perform job duties

Example

During the interview, you explained that work was verbally assigned at a staff meeting. I find that I work best when instructions are both written and verbal. I have a disability that makes processing verbal information a challenge. Could you accommodate me in this way?

After You Start Work

Advantages

Opportunity to prove yourself on the job before disclosure
If disclosure affects employment status, even when you are still able to perform the job duties, you may be protected by the law

Disadvantages

Nervousness or fear of having a disability-related problem on the job and not having the accommodations you need
Fear it’s too late to disclose and your co-workers will wonder why you did not disclose during the hiring process
Possibility that your co-workers will not know how to react to your disability
Could change interaction with peers

Considerations

It is better to ask for accommodations before your job performance is questioned
The longer you put off disclosing the harder it becomes
You might not recognize the need for accommodations when you first enter a job; if throughout the process the need becomes easier to identify, advocate for yourself to receive proper accommodations

Example

I have a disability that takes me longer to process information. When assigning projects can you allow me more time to develop questions and review the tasks independently? Thank you in advance for keeping this information confidential.

After a Disability-Related Problem on The Job

Advantages

Opportunity to prove yourself on the job before disclosure

Disadvantages

Employer accusations of falsifying your application
Not knowing how your co-workers will react to your disability
Perpetuate disability myths and misunderstandings

Considerations

Relationships you establish with peers may be hurt if they feel like you have not been truthful with them; it could be difficult to regain trust
Not disclosing here could cost you on your performance review if your supervisor believes you cannot do the job successfully

Example

I have noticed that I am having a difficult time completing my work assignments. I have a medical condition that requires frequent breaks in order to do my work. Would you allow me to work later to enable me to take more breaks? I always get the job done when I manage my schedule in this way.

Never Disclose

Advantages

Employers will not be aware of your disability so they will not question your performance in regards to your disability

Disadvantages

Nervousness or fear of having a disability related problem on the job

Considerations

If you are able to perform the essential functions of the job without reasonable accommodations, you will not need to disclose your disability
If you have a disability-related medical situation you might be hurt by inappropriate first aid

How do I identify the accommodations that I need?

Ask yourself these questions to determine what accommodations you need to be successful on the job.

What accommodations have you received in college or graduate school? Why are these accommodations helpful to you?
What strategies have you developed over the years that you can use in the workplace without requesting accommodations?
What physical, sensory, and cognitive skills are needed for your prospective position?
What does the task or assignment require? Break down all of the components of the job
Which aspects of the job do you feel require accommodations?
What accommodation options exist? Learn possible options by visiting sites like the Job Accommodation Network, or access campus and community resources

What Are My Rights and Responsibilities During the Job Search Process?

Know how you are protected under the law and what is considered your responsibility as you advocate for yourself.

Rights

Have information about disability treated confidentially and respectfully
Seek information about hiring practices from any organization
Choose to disclose disability at any point during the employment process
Receive appropriate accommodations in an interview to demonstrate skills and abilities
Be considered for position based on skills and merit
Be self-determined and proactive
Have a respectful dialog about disabilities for purpose of reasonable accommodations

Responsibilities

Demonstrate skills and merit
Be truthful, self-determined, and proactive
Search for jobs that address skills and abilities
Inform the manager or interviewers about appropriate and reasonable accommodations for an interview
Disclose need for accommodations if work-related adjustments are needed
Negotiate reasonable accommodations with an employer at point of job offer and while on the job

Pre-employment disability-related questions

An employer cannot ask certain questions related to your disability. Learn what employers can or cannot ask in the pre and post offer stages and medical examination policies according to the Americans with Disabilities Act.