To disclose or not to disclose...That is the question!

Rob,

I not sure why people feel that they have to tell an employer that they are ld. If you are able to do your job then why do you have to tell them. If a proplem comes up and it is caused by your ld then sure. Everyone has some kind of a problem. My mother has a very bad sense of direction put she did not tell her employer. I guest I see my ld as part of me that is who I am. It has been important that I know I have ld and what kind I have, so I can work on the area I have problems with. Thats how I feel. I guess I pick Number 3.
A

Every one has strengths and weaknesses. Why not choose a job
which uses your stregnths? (easy said than done sometimes)
I would not disclose it in my first interview because the
competition exsists regardeless. Depending on your job, see if you
can use accomodations. Maybe you will be lucky enough to have
an understanding and open-minded boss . You don’t have to use
the term “I am diagnosed with LD” . it scares the hell of everyone who
is not familiar with it. It sound like some kind of an unknown disease.
When you get to know your boss you can always say “I have difficulty
with this and this or something like “I am a visual person. I need to
see things. Read the article Basic principales of APD management by
Tery James whch the ldonline published (taken from the book
When the brain can’t hear by the same writer. Simon and Schuster
publisher. Even though he referrs to a specific LD problem -
auditory processing - his suggestion about how to cope in the job place
are good for any kind of LD

I’ve always been mixed about this subject myself. My fear of picking #3 would be that if a problem comes up then you disclose the LD, I think many bosses might see that as just an excuse for poor performance. I am a strong believer at not using a disability as an excuse for anything.

On the other hand, it could be a good way at explaining things. I would say #3 depending on the form of LD you have. For example, if you have a disability in math, yet you’re a typist, revealing the LD isn’t necessary. However, if you have an LD that may affect the job, I would say see how it goes, then request accommodations.

It’s hard to explain. This topic has driven me nuts too.

Good luck!!

Christine

Honesty is the best policy. Not disclosing is deceptive. The conventional wisdom expoused by the voc rehabs is not to disclose and as we all know they are experts at lying. It’s not fair to an employer not to disclose after all he’s taking a risk no matter who he hires. By disclosing up front you will know if they would be willing to accomadate. Yuo’ll get a feel if this is a company you would want to work for. I think the idea of decieving and when you can’t be productive get fired and then sue for discrimination is typical AH thinking of agencies like VR and RCIL and others who exploit the ADA and the disabled. Maintaining a good work record is vital. The solution would befor the government to kick in money to make up the lack of production of less abled people. They pay farmers not to grow food. Why not pay the public sector to hire the disabled. That’s a whole other subject.

Ball:

I know what you mean!! A year after college, my Voc Rehab counselor hooked me up with a Rehab center here in New Jersey. It was mostly for the developmentally disabled; however, there was a clerical program also. That seemed to have mainly those with psychiatric problems. Anyway, during my Job Readiness group, the job coach suggested fudging the name of the place a little on the resume. Instead of calling it such and such Rehab Center, call it such and such Clerical Training Center. That got very confusing for me! I think it scared off many prospective employers, at least for me. Eventually, I disclosed my disabilities to a few employers with the help of the job coach. I work with a different job coach now through another program. I do hope I can get into a better career!

Good luck!!

Christine

I owned a business once. It’s hard. I don’t envy small business owners. The cards are really stacked against them. When you get over 11 employers you gotta hire minorities even if they are less qualified. A lot of people don’t think that’s fair but I don’t think that employers would object to the government giving disabled people minority status. I don’t think that most people would think it would be unfair. Who really needs special treatment more someone with ethnicity or someone with a disability? Who is more disadvantaged? Certianly some ethnic groups have been treated unfairly actually horribly but go to an IEP meeting and they lynch you a little differently there. I maintain that we are more disadvantaged than minorities and should recieve more special treatment. It can be argued that some minorities disadvantage themselves this assertion is even made by their leaders. If I were not disabled I would probably be all for affirmative action but being disabled, needing it and not getting it I am a bit resentful.

I recently had to take an EPA certification exam. I did not get 5 extra points because of my complexion and sex. I may have needed those five points. In fact no provisions are made for disabled people taking that test. We got a long way to go. We shall overcome some daaaaaaaaaaaay.

Rob,

I would choose 3; I am going to police academy and I am going to be applying with state patrol. I am NOT going to tell them I am LD but they WILL find it doing my background. Who knows what will happen but I am hoping for the best! It will not affect my job duties I know people who cant read, spell, etc as good as me and they are not LD.

Grace

All of your feedback has helped me to realize that there is a fourth choice; Disclose, but only disclose the specific symptoms that are causing you, or that have caused you problems in the past, vs. disclosing that you are a learning disabled adult. What do you think?

Rob

Not disclosing is wrong. It does a disservice to both employer and employee and to disabled people in general. I’d rather not be a liar, especially not with someone I’m having a work relationship with. A good place for a liar to work is VESID. Telling people to lie is so typical of those who claim to have our best interest at heart. That kind of crap make me wanna go to the rat bastard that runs VESID and knock his teeth down his throat.

I found myself in this particular situation.

I worked at a hospital for 11 years. I didn’t disclose my LD upon being hired,I didn’t really think about it. I am a great nurse,did my job well. Very well,spent mucho time on committee’s,personally helped improve the hospital’s services to the community. I had a conflict when a former peer,became my direct supervisor,she started complaining about my handwriting. Always before,it really didn’t matter to anyone else,actually,most people would chuckle about it,say,they always knew who the nurse was,due to my handwriting. I am dyslexic,my handwriting is poor. Anyway,it became a nightmare,they started auditing my charts and giving me a hard time. The harder I tried to improve my handwriting the worse it got. I decided to leave my job after 11 years. I was angry,felt like they discriminated but I never told anyone I was LD. Okay ,I told people in conversation,but I never disclosed prior to getting the job,I never asked for accomodations. I suppose I could have but it was a situation where,if I did,would I be making excuses for my handwriting?

Once out there looking for a job,many applications asked. Do you have any disability that would prevent you from performing your assigned tasks? Hmmm,okay here I am applying for a job,hoping for an interview? I have to say I didn’t disclose. Felt like if I did,I wouldn’t even get to the interview,know what I mean?

I am a fighter,I believe in fighting for your rights,but I also believe in feeding my kids.

The funny thing is,It has been two years now. I have worked a year in one facility and currently employed in another. Been here three months now. NO ONE,NOBODY,cares or has said a word about my handwriting. As a matter of fact,I have seen worse! In retrospect,I believe this person was harrassing me,it wouldn’t have matter what it was,if I disclosed at the time,it would have been something else. If they want to discriminate they will,it doesn’t matter whether you disclose or not.

You definitely hit upon a concern I think many people with disabilities have, especially LD. I know I worry about whether or not it would seem that I’m making excuses for such things as needing things repeated a couple of times or asking what a certain, common word meant. I wonder if part of the reason LD people don’t disclose all the time is for that very reason. It’s really tough having a “hidden” disability. I don’t really know what “normal” thinking and processing feels like, so I hate the feeling that my need for accommodations could be viewed as just an excuse.

Socks, I’m glad you were able to get into a job where you won’t feel like you’re being harrassed. Believe me, my handwriting isn’t the greatest either!! Also, I do data entry off of processing paperwork. Some of the technicians’ handwriting is downright awful! Something trivial like that should be remediated; the person shouldn’t have to worry about getting audited or harrassed.

Good luck to you!!

Christine

I usually chose #1 after I haved proved myself for a period of time. I specifically tellmy employer that I want no special treatment. My rational may be different than others though, I work with people with various disabilities and do this to show people with disabilities are capable of more than they are given credit for. If people want to treat me as stupid or unfairly (happened before)after that, my policy has always been, let them try.