Should I or Shouldn’t I?
Deciding if, when, and how to share disability-related information with a prospective or current employer can be overwhelming. The decision-making process requires answering a number of personal questions that may be different with each employment experience. There is no single right or wrong approach to disclosing a disability. The disability disclosure decision-making process can include questions like: “Do I have an obligation to disclose?” “When is the right time?” “How much information does the employer need?” and “How will ... Read more
Workplace Accommodation Toolkit
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) recently launched the Workplace Accommodation Toolkit, a centralized resource to assist employers during the process of recruiting, hiring and employing persons with disabilities. The Toolkit is a portal into the vast amounts of information JAN provides to promote a more inclusive environment in the workplace while maintaining compliance with current laws and regulations. “Recently JAN has seen an increase in requests for guidance related to the reasonable accommodation process and creating disability-inclusive workplaces. The ... Read more
Defining Disability
It’s critical that employers understand the diversity and prevalence of disability, as well as what it means—practically and legally—in order to ensure an inclusive workplace for all. For many, the word “disability” conjures images of individuals who use wheelchairs or who are blind or deaf. But according to a 2011 World Health Organization report, disability is a far more diverse part of the human experience; it affects all of us at some point of our lives, either directly or ... Read more
Knowing When to Request Medical Information
JAN Consultants respond to a variety of inquiries from employers about the ADA rules related to asking for medical information in response to receiving an accommodation request. Sometimes employers are uneasy about making medical inquiries and requesting medical documentation. The ADA does not require employers to request medical information after receiving a request for accommodation. However, in some situations, employers feel compelled to request medical information because sometimes the disability and need for accommodation are not known or obvious. ... Read more
Cornell — Talent Acquisition Professionals
Talent Acquisition Professionals” (TAPs), who place people with disabilities in jobs, are charged with understanding and supporting the needs of not one customer, but two. They’re responsible to those people with disabilities, whom they aid in finding a career, and they also answer to businesses that do the hiring. The ability of TAPs to partner effectively with business is an essential bridge to employment for people with disabilities seeking competitive jobs. This means TAPs should develop the skills and ... Read more
Reasonable Accommodations
Although we may be qualified to get the job done, we may need to request assistance by way of reasonable accommodations as stated under the Americans with Disabilities Act. You might wonder, “Are all employers required to make reasonable accommodations?”or “How do I make the request?”. The Job Accommodation Network has a great tool for learning more about which employers fall under Title I of the ADA. JAN also offers helpful suggestions for a process job seekers can use, ... Read more
New Research on Disability and the Workplace
A recent State of the Science conference in Washington, DC, highlighted new findings in the area of disability and employment. The event, presented by the Employer Practices Rehabilitation Research Training Center (EPRRTC), offered initial findings that could help inform the way employers approach employees with disabilities. The following research may have immediate applications: EMPLOYEE DISCLOSURE This issue is multifaceted and is gaining more importance with the publication of new Section 503 regulations from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance ... Read more
Federal Contractors Creating a Culture of Inclusion
March 24, 2014, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) will implement new 503 regulations for federal contractors. Contractors with more than 100 employees will be required to set an aspirational goal to achieve a workforce inclusive of 7 percent of individuals with disabilities in each job category while businesses with fewer than 100 employees will apply that goal across their workforce as a whole. Contractors covered under Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA) will ... Read more
Internships + Mentoring = a Win-Win
For years, studies have shown that people who participate in college internships-where they have opportunities to be exposed to the professional workplace, enhance their networking skills, and build their résumés-become more viable candidates, increasing the likelihood they’ll get and keep a job. Surveys conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) have indicated that employers draw 40 percent of their new hires from their own internship programs. This is also true when the intern happens to have ... Read more
Resources
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides free resources and information for Job Seekers with Disabilities who have questions about self-identifying, asking for reasonable accommodations and much more!
