Navigating Disability Disclosure: Pros and Cons

Navigating Disability Disclosure

Exploring the pros and cons of disclosing disabilities

Multiple Choice

What does disclosure mean?

• The process of hiding information from the public.
• Intentionally telling personal information about yourself for a specific purpose.

• A legal term for a type of contract.
• The act of summarizing information for clarity.

• Joan, who is on the track team, has insulin-dependent diabetes and might need the help of her teammates if her blood sugar is low

• Justin is autistic and needs a highly structured environment to stay on task

• Joe is Deaf and will need an interpreter for a college interview

• Carlo, who has ADHD, needs directions in written form because he misses steps when they are given orally

Examples of when to disclosure to receive accommodations

Advantages of Disability Disclosure

• Access to accommodations and support

• Increased understanding and empathy

• Promotes inclusivity and diversity

• Builds trust and fosters positive relationships

• Provides legal protection against discrimination

• Reduces stress of protecting a "secret"

• Help improve self-image through self-advocacy

• Increases your comfort level

Multiple Select

What are the benefits of disability disclosure? (Select 3)

• Access to accommodations and support

• Cause jealousy and isolation from others

• Promotes inclusivity and diversity

• Opportunity for advocacy and awareness

Disadvantages of Disability Disclosure

• Lead to the experience of exclusion

• Cause you to be an object of curiosity

• Discrimination and stigma

• Loss of privacy

• Impact on career advancement

• Unfair treatment and bias

• Reduced opportunities and limited access

• Cause feelings of embarrassment

Multiple Select

What are some potential challenges faced by individuals when disclosing their disability? (Select 2)

• Discrimination and stigma

• Gain in privacy

• access to accommodations

• Unfair treatment and bias

Navigating Disability Disclosure Review

• Pros: Increased workplace accommodations, access to disability-related resources, potential for support and understanding from colleagues

• Cons: Potential discrimination, stigma, limited job opportunities, lack of privacy

• Impact on Employment Opportunities: Varies depending on individual circumstances, industry, and employer attitudes

Multiple Select

What are the potential impacts of disability disclosure on employment opportunities? (Select 2)

• Increased workplace accommodations

• Changes nothing

• Increased job promotions

• Access to disability-related resources

Navigating Disability Disclosure

• Pros: Increased support, accommodations, and understanding

• Cons: Potential discrimination, stigma, and loss of privacy

• Impact on Self-Identity: Balancing self-advocacy, acceptance, and societal expectations

Impact of Disability Disclosure

• Increased support, accommodations, and understanding

• Legal Protection

• Potential discrimination, stigma, and loss of privacy

• Balancing self-advocacy, acceptance, and societal expectations

• Improved physical health and well-being

Disability Disclosure and work

• Disability disclosure can lead to

  • protection from discrimination

  • disability-related resources

  • workplace accommodations.

• Interviewing Tip: Do not disclose your disability before being hired due to possible unconscious discrimination

Multiple Choice

You ALWAYS have to disclose your disability.

• True

• False

You only need to disclose your disability if you need accommodations. If you don't need accommodations, you don't have to disclose.

Multiple Select

What are the potential impacts of disability disclosure on social interactions? (Select 2)

• Increased understanding and support

• Nothing will change

• Fostering empathy and inclusion

• Cause people to feel awkward and insecure about theirself

Multiple Select

What are the impacts of disability disclosure on self-identity? (Select 3)

• Increased support, accommodations, and understanding

• Potential discrimination, stigma, and loss of privacy

• Increased intelligence and physical strength

• Improved physical health and well-being

​Advantages and Disadvantages of Disability Disclosure

Liz applied for a job in an after-school daycare program. Liz got the job and the director wants her to come in the next day. Liz wonders if she should tell the director about the 1 time she had a seizure when she was 10 yrs old and had to go to the hospital. Liz participates in many in and out-of-school activities and has regular checkups with her doctor.

​Advantages and Disadvantages of Disability Disclosure

Calvin is about to start college and has to take a public speaking class. Calvin stutters severely when he speaks, especially around new people. Think about Calvin's self-image and his concern about his stutter.

Poll

How do you feel about understanding the pros and cons of disclosing your disability?

• Great- I know the advantages and disadvantages and feel confident

• Okay- I know some of the advantages and disadvantages

• Bad- I do not know the advantages and disadvantages