[Jobs] FW: Article on disclosure of a disability on your resume

Tue Feb 6 14:58:36 CST 2007

Thanks Lorraine,
That was a good article: one I will use with my careers students.  I like
Kim Isaacs' stuff so much that I bought a copy of her book, which is
unfortunately not in electronic form.  Bummer!
Dick Davis

-----Original Message-----
From: jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:jobs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Rovig, Lorraine
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 11:49 AM
To: Jobs
Subject: [Jobs] FW: Article on disclosure of a disability on your resume

________________________________

From: LPovinelli at aol.com [mailto:LPovinelli at aol.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 12:42 AM
Subject: Article on disclosure of a disability on your resume 

Subject: Interesting article on disclosure from Monster.com 

Should You Disclose a Disability on Your Resume?
by Kim Isaacs <http://discussion.monster.com/experts/Isaacs/> 
Monster Resume Expert

The 2000 US Census <http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/c2kbr-17.pdf>
reports that nearly one in five Americans has some type of disability.
However, most of these people aren't working -- according to the New
Freedom Initiative
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/freedominitiative/freedominitiative.html
> , the unemployment rate for adults with disabilities is around 70
percent.

These statistics suggest that people with disabilities may have to work
harder to land a new position. The most important job search tool -- the
resume -- has to be in top shape. Follow these experts' advice on how to
address a disability on your resume.

Should You Mention a Disability?

"The first thing job seekers need to ask themselves is, 'Can I do the
job?'" says Jonathan Kaufman
<http://discussion.monster.com/experts/kaufman/> , Monster Disability
Advisor and president of DisabilityWorks.com. "If the answer is yes and
the disability doesn't affect job performance, then don't mention it."

Jeff Klare, CEO of Hire DisAbility Solutions
<http://hireds.monster.com/> , which is jointly operated by Monster, has
a similar view. "Never reveal a disability on a resume," he says, citing
the possibility of discrimination or preconceived, inaccurate notions
about disabilities as the primary reasons to avoid the topic.

Dr. Daniel J. Ryan, author of The Job Search Handbook for People with
Disabilities
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1563709899/monstercom>  and
director of career planning at the University at Buffalo, State
University of New York, concurs. "Employers use resumes to weed people
out, so anything on the resume that would allude to a disability --
given the realities of the marketplace -- will probably work against
you," he explains.

Top 3 Reasons to Avoid Disclosing a Disability

1.      Fewer Interview Invitations: "Not securing an interview is one
of the major potential pitfalls of revealing a disability on a resume,"
Klare says.

2.      A Reason to Eliminate You: Your resume is a marketing document.
"Show that you have the requirements the employer is seeking, and
eliminate anything that might move you to the 'reject pile,' whether
that's typos <http://adminsupport.monster.com/articles/grammar/> ,
coffee stains on your document or having a disability," Ryan says.

3.      The Law Is on Your Side: "Under the Americans with Disabilities
Act <http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm> , you don't have to say
anything," Kaufman points out.

Exceptions

"I would only reveal a disability on a resume if I knew that it would
increase my chances of getting the job," says Ryan. "This is rarely
true, except for when applying for programs designed specifically to
recruit people with disabilities, or if the disability is related to the
position (for example, a visually impaired counselor for those who are
visually impaired)."

Disability-Related Employment Gaps

How should you handle employment gaps
<http://resume.monster.com/articles/weaknesses/>  caused by
medical-related absences? "If there's a big gap (two or more years), it
helps to have a filler," suggests Klare.

But Klare advises against disclosing your disability on the resume or
cover letter as the reason for the gap. "There are many ways to fill
gaps," he says. Options include volunteer work
<http://resume.monster.com/articles/volunteer-experience/> , continuing
education or other activities you performed during your time away from
the workforce. 

Additional Resume Pitfalls to Avoid

Be careful about including achievements on your resume that could
unintentionally reveal your disability. That doesn't mean you have to
omit all references to organizations that are tied to your disability,
but use common sense.

"Clearly, 'Gold Medal, 2006 Special Olympics,' implies you have a
disability," says Ryan. "However, 'Treasurer, American Cancer Society
Chapter' does not."

Interview Concerns

People with visible disabilities (e.g., noticeable impairments to
speech, hearing, sight or mobility) might want to disclose the
disability <http://diversity.monster.com/wwd/articles/interview/>  so
there are no surprises at the interview. Ryan advises against this. "Get
your foot in the door for interviews, and if the disability is visible,
put their minds at ease early on in the process, assuring employers that
you have the skills to do the job," he says.

Special Accommodations

"Each disability has a built-in accommodation requirement
<http://diversity.monster.com/wwd/articles/whatreas/> , from none to
many," says Klare. So you need to know the accommodations you will need
for your disability and pose proactive solutions
<http://diversity.monster.com/wwd/articles/communicate-disability/%20>
once there's mutual interest in your candidacy. "For example, a diabetic
might need two 15-minute breaks for insulin and access to a
refrigerator, but it's best to discuss this after you get the job," he
adds.

Klare recommends knowing what equipment may be needed to accommodate
your disability and where to source it. "Become a team player from the
beginning," he says. 

Kaufman points out that the average cost for accommodations
<http://diversity.monster.com/wwd/articles/adacost/%20>  is $500 or
less. "And many times it's nothing," he says, adding that employers can
often leverage or adapt technology, resources and other tools already in
place. 

Klare's final advice: "Use the resume to open the door, and then let the
person come out in the interview."