By June 15, 2013 Read More →

Disclosure

Disclosure of my disability has always been problematic. I’ve tried the extremes being blind or hiding my blindness and not trying to live blind and as always the truth lies in the middle. At one point I wouldn’t disclosing my blindness. A friend offered that people might think I’m lying about other things if I’m not willing to be open about my disability.    I found the comment helpful as in my professional career it actually helps to disclose.

Disclosure Podcast
When to disclose is always the hard part. In a professional setting when I meet a new customer I will disclose immediately. This eliminates the trust issue entirely. Now I carry a white cane with me all the time. For a time I had my disability listed on my resume.  I found I wasn’t getting interviews and to eat I had to remove the data.   It has been my experience that the job search process from a hiring perspective is to weed potential candidates out until you identify three or four your interested in interviewing.  When I’m looking for work I’ve found is its best to disclose my disability at the first interview. It gets me in the door and lets me sell myself on my merits in person.
Dating has worked similarly.  I had my disability listed in my profile and a picture of me and my guide dog.  I was wondering why I wasn’t getting any dates.   When I took off the information well the rest is history.  Needless to say I had dates.
I’ve found even when I do disclose people don’t believe me.

Posted in: Disability & Blindness, Living

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