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

Tue Feb 6 20:56:57 CST 2007

Dick:

Loan it to one of us and we will scan it and submit it to booksahre.org.

Dave

At 02:58 PM 2/6/2007, you wrote:
>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."
>
> 
>
>
>
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