Top 8 FAQs for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment
8 FAQs for Individuals with Disabilities Who
Are Looking for Jobs
Finding a new job is always challenging, and
there may be some extra things to consider if you have a disability. However,
being informed about joining the workforce as a person with a disability can
make it far easier to find jobs you can work disabled. Here are some answers
to questions people with disabilities frequently ask while seeking employment.
1. Should I Disclose My Status Before Being Hired?
Telling a potential employer about your disability is important because they’re
not legally required to provide accommodations unless they’re aware of it.
However, disclosing your status is a personal decision, so many people do wait
until after they’re hired and know their coworkers a little better.
2. Can an Employer Refuse to Hire Me Due to My Disability?
An employer can refuse to hire you for other reasons like a lack of qualifications,
but they are only allowed to refuse to hire you due to the disability if you’re
unable to perform duties essential to the job with or without reasonable
accommodations.
3. What Are Reasonable Accommodations?
You have the right to request reasonable accommodations that make your job
easier, which may include anything from physically modifying your office for
wheelchair space to getting time off for treatment.
4. Do I Have to Be Officially Diagnosed to Receive Accommodations?
Doctor-patient confidentiality laws still apply in a workplace environment, so
your employer doesn’t have the right to ask for details like therapist notes.
However, you may need to submit some medical documentation as part of the
process for proving you would like accommodations.
5. What Counts as a Disability?
What legally qualifies as being differently abled varies depending on your
location, so there’s no set list of conditions. The Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) defines having a disability as some sort of physical or mental
impairment that impacts some sort of life activity.
6. Do All Businesses Have to Comply with ADA Laws?
When job hunting, keep in mind that businesses with less than 15 full-time
employees, those not in an industry affecting commerce, and those that operate
for less than 20 weeks per year don’t have to follow ADA requirements.
7. What Should I Do if I Think I’m Facing Discrimination?
If you think a business has violated your rights or discriminated against you,
you need to file a charge against them as soon as possible. You can contact
your local EEOC office to file the charge, and they will help you resolve the
matter.
8. How Can I Find a Job That’s Right for Me?
Research local companies to see if any of them have disability hiring programs
that may make it easier to find a job. If you’re having difficulty finding
employment on your own, consider contacting a federal or local program that
helps people with disabilities.
Another easy way to find
the right job is by searching the listings on disABLEDperson, Inc. There are
many jobs for people with disabilities available, and our main
goal is to connect potential employees with jobs that are right for them. Visit
our website, or call 760-420-1269 today to learn more.