Article
Disclosure of Blindness During the Job Search
This post explores the question of when a job candidate who is blind or visually impaired should disclose this information to a potential employer
Upon graduation from college in 2006, I was faced with finding a full-time job. Fellow graduates were in the same situation; everyone frequently talked about the type of company they thought they wanted to work at, and details about the jobs being considered. I was also faced with another hurdle to overcome: disclosing blindness to a potential employer.
According to a May 2, 2012 posting in the Macular Health blog, Americans fear blindness more than any other disability. Therefore, when a hiring manager learns that a candidate is blind, uncertainty, fear and a feeling of trepidation sweeps over them. The general public tries to place themselves in the shoes of a person who is blind, and can’t imagine how they would function. Consequently, in far too many cases, the hiring manager does not think the candidate is capable to independently perform the job, and selects another candidate.
I went on over 75 job interviews before landing my current position. Like many of my competitors, I possessed prior summer work experience, and was on the Dean’s List each semester of college. During many phone interviews, the human resource professional said I possessed exemplary communication skills and was the top candidate. However, I rarely told the representative that I was blind. I did not want the hiring manager to have extra time to ponder my blindness or think of numerous questions to ask me. Upon arriving at the interview, many human resource professionals were bewildered that I could complete every task listed on my resume without sighted help. I calmly explained my skills and related each answer to the job for which I was being considered. My goal in each interview was to take the emphasis off blindness and remain focused on the position. Eventually, this strategy worked as I have been successfully employed for over six years.
Although the job search can be daunting and feels emotionally draining, never let a visual disability interfere with excellence. Keep reaching for the stars, and you will find immense success!
By Tim Vernon
