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# ODEP - Office of Disability Employment Policy

### Disability Employment Policy Resources by Topic

# Youth, Disclosure, and the Workplace Why, When, What, and How

Every job seeker with a disability is faced with the same decision: "Should I or shouldn't I disclose my disability?"  This decision may be framed differently depending upon whether you have a visible disability or a non-visible disability.  Ultimately, the decision of whether to disclose is entirely up to you. 

**Why Disclose in the Workplace?**

 When you leave school and enter the workforce, many aspects of your life change.  Among the many differences, is the requirement to share information about your disability if you want your employer to provide you with reasonable accommodations.  In school if you had an individualized education program (IEP), as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), information about your disability and the accommodations you needed followed you from grade to grade. When you enter the workforce, the IDEA no longer applies to you.  Instead, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act protect you from disability-related discrimination and provide for meaningful access. The laws require that qualified applicants and employees with disabilities be provided with reasonable accommodations. Yet, in order to benefit from the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act, you must disclose your disability.  An employer is only required to provide work-related accommodations if you disclose your disability to the appropriate individuals.  

**When to Disclose Your Disability**

 There is no one "right" time or place to disclose your disability.  Select a confidential place in which to disclose, and allow enough time for the person to ask questions.  Do not dwell on the limitations of your disability. You should weigh the pros and cons of disclosure at each point of the job search, recruitment, and hiring process and make the decision to discuss your disability when it is appropriate for you.  Consider the following stages: 
        - In a letter of application or cover letter; 
        - Before an interview; 
        - At the interview; 
        - In a third-party phone call or reference; 
        - Before any drug testing 	for illegal drugs;
        - After you have a job offer;
        - During your course of employment; or
        - Never.

**How to Disclose your Disability**

 Preparation is essential for disclosing your disability.  Effective disclosure requires that you discuss your needs, and that you provide practical suggestions for reasonable job accommodations, if they are needed.  One way to become comfortable with discussing your disability is to find someone you trust and practice the disclosure discussion with that person.  The two of you can put together a disclosure script. It should contain relevant disability information and weave in your strengths.  Always keep it positive!   

**What to Disclose About Your Disability**

 There is no required information to share about your disability.  In fact, it will be different for everyone.  For example, if you have an apparent disability it is often beneficial to address how you plan to accomplish tasks required by the job. This can affirm to the employer that you are suited for the position.  Additionally, by demonstrating your own ease and comfort with the job requirements, you can relay to employers other traits that are desirable in an applicant.  A person with a hidden disability, on the other hand, will first need to decide whether to disclose the disability, and subsequently determine what information to share about the disability.  Generally, if you choose to disclose, it is most helpful to share the following:  
        -  	General information about your disability;
        -  	Why you are disclosing your disability;
        -  	How your disability affects your ability to 	perform key job tasks;
        -  	Types of accommodations that have worked for you 	in the past; and
        -  	Types of accommodations you anticipate needing 	in the workplace; 

**To Whom to Disclose Your Disability**

 Disclose your disability on a "need-to-know" basis.  Provide further details about your disability as it applies to your work-related accommodations to the individual who has the authority to facilitate your accommodation request.  Consider disclosing to the supervisor responsible for the hiring, promoting, and/or firing of employees.  This person needs to be informed of your disability-related needs to provide the necessary supports and judge your job performance fairly.   

**Disclosure Protections and Responsibilities**

 As a person with a disability, you have disclosure protections as well as significant responsibilities to yourself and to your employers.  

*You are entitled to:*
        -  	Have information about your disability treated 	confidentially and respectfully;
        -  	Seek information about hiring practices from any 	organization;
        -  	Choose to disclose your disability at any time 	during the employment process;
        -  	Receive reasonable accommodations for an 	interview;
        -  	Be considered for a position based on your skill 	and merit; and
        -  	Have respectful questioning about your 	disability for the purpose of determining whether you need accommodations and 	if so, what kind. 

*You have the responsibility to:*
        - Disclose your need for any 	work-related reasonable accommodations;
        - Bring your skills and 	merits to the table; and
        -  	Be truthful, self-determined, and proactive.

 Resources 

National  Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. The 411 on  Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities

National  Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. **The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A   Workbook for  Families, Educators, Youth Service Professionals, and Adult Allies Who   Care  About Youth with Disabilities**

 The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)  

http://AskJAN.org

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