Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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I disclosed my disability much earlier in the interview process than I usually do (self.Blind)
submitted by blind-coder
I’m a software engineer and have been putting out feelers for a potential new job. Actually got invited to a phone screen which I had earlier today. After looking at the employer career page and seeing their strong focus on diversity and inclusion, and seeing that they were specifically calling out disability as something they support, I actually felt comfortable sharing my blindness with the recruiter in this initial call, something I would almost normally never do. I don’t know if that was a bad or good thing lol, but I guess we will see if they put their money where their mouth is, values wise. I felt like the call went really well. Fingers crossed
scaram0uche 22 points 1y ago
I have a visually impaired family member and my work background is in technical recruiting. I always appreciated knowing the disabilities that need accomodations so that I could adjust the interview process and have the candidate tell me what they need.
One of the most talented software engineers I hired was visually impaired and it meant that he brought his own laptop for the interview since it was already set up for his vision needs and I adjusted the office tour so he could see what there was without me traipsing up and down stairwells.
On the other hand, I had someone who used a walker come for an interview but didn't tell me - check in was on the second floor but the interview was on the first and the office tour went between buildings. I could've easily restructured the day to be easier on him or let him know a wheelchair was okay but he didn't let me know.
My general advice is to let the contact person know if you need accomodations during the interview process - then you as the candidate also get to see if they will treat you as they should! Advocating for yourself can be very nerve-wracking - your courage will only benefit you!
One of the most talented software engineers I hired was visually impaired and it meant that he brought his own laptop for the interview since it was already set up for his vision needs and I adjusted the office tour so he could see what there was without me traipsing up and down stairwells.
On the other hand, I had someone who used a walker come for an interview but didn't tell me - check in was on the second floor but the interview was on the first and the office tour went between buildings. I could've easily restructured the day to be easier on him or let him know a wheelchair was okay but he didn't let me know.
My general advice is to let the contact person know if you need accomodations during the interview process - then you as the candidate also get to see if they will treat you as they should! Advocating for yourself can be very nerve-wracking - your courage will only benefit you!
TechnicalPragmatist 29 points 1y ago
But a lot of people will go sorry disability bye bye! Won’t hire you. That’s why a lot of us don’t.
scaram0uche 5 points 1y ago
Yes, that's understood but also will show you that you wouldn't want to work with those assholes anyway. But being able to be accommodated for the interview process is important because you deserve to be at your best.
It absolutely sucks but if it isn't talked about, called out, and managers aren't reminded that disability discrimination can be illegal it will continue.
It absolutely sucks but if it isn't talked about, called out, and managers aren't reminded that disability discrimination can be illegal it will continue.
TechnicalPragmatist 16 points 1y ago
I agree with you, as a totally blind person someone who will have to disclose at interview I am in total agreement. I am totally blind and have no vision. There’s absolutely no hiding with me whatesoever. They will know I have no vision and can’t read the screen have to use a cane and I look blind. I am not incompetent but body language seems off for sure.
But the problem is there’s too many who will discriminate and there’s more that will and that’s why some find it difficult to find jobs. And yes more education is required but they are slick to get around this they don’t want to say they discriminate but they do anyway and they play other games. The job listing disappears, they interview everyone and hire anyone else, and give you just general claims or another reason. I wish disability type stuff is easier to identify and catch but it isn’t. We DO KNOW that it is FOR A FACT 100% happening but these are the reasons of course but it’s hard to actually say okay gotcha you are actually doing this this is illegal. Unfortunately so much of it is so clever.
But I agree with you and your spirit. And I am in total agreement. I wish 100% we don’t have this happening but it is. For instance online I don’t immediately or disclose that I am blind unless it’s necessary. There’s no avoiding it in real life. I am totally blind, I walk out, it’s very blatantly obvious. But I don’t need to be treated differently online.
Does this make sense?
It’s a real shame that we have to hide it or not disclose it. I wish 1000% we could be candid and opened about it but sometimes we really don’t have the luxury of that.
But the problem is there’s too many who will discriminate and there’s more that will and that’s why some find it difficult to find jobs. And yes more education is required but they are slick to get around this they don’t want to say they discriminate but they do anyway and they play other games. The job listing disappears, they interview everyone and hire anyone else, and give you just general claims or another reason. I wish disability type stuff is easier to identify and catch but it isn’t. We DO KNOW that it is FOR A FACT 100% happening but these are the reasons of course but it’s hard to actually say okay gotcha you are actually doing this this is illegal. Unfortunately so much of it is so clever.
But I agree with you and your spirit. And I am in total agreement. I wish 100% we don’t have this happening but it is. For instance online I don’t immediately or disclose that I am blind unless it’s necessary. There’s no avoiding it in real life. I am totally blind, I walk out, it’s very blatantly obvious. But I don’t need to be treated differently online.
Does this make sense?
It’s a real shame that we have to hide it or not disclose it. I wish 1000% we could be candid and opened about it but sometimes we really don’t have the luxury of that.
scaram0uche 9 points 1y ago
I agree. I have had so much trouble working under the HR umbrella because even though they should know the laws and abide by them they are the worst at manipulating them. I am autistic and have seen it first hand from my own coworkers against me.
Most hiring managers end up in those positions without any legal training on how to hire - but since HR isn't a profitable department there is no budget to run trainings (and of course no one wants to go to trainings or has time to). The laws may be in place but the education is on-the-fly or absolutely lacking.
I cannot tell you how many times I just get a "no" on a candidate without details so that the recruitment process can be adjusted - and then when I push it comes down to "cultural fit" which is a catch-all for anything the hiring manager doesn't like.
There is so much flawed with how hiring works and, annoyingly, the only way to change it seems to be those who need accomodations to advocate for themselves and call out illegal behaviours.
Most hiring managers end up in those positions without any legal training on how to hire - but since HR isn't a profitable department there is no budget to run trainings (and of course no one wants to go to trainings or has time to). The laws may be in place but the education is on-the-fly or absolutely lacking.
I cannot tell you how many times I just get a "no" on a candidate without details so that the recruitment process can be adjusted - and then when I push it comes down to "cultural fit" which is a catch-all for anything the hiring manager doesn't like.
There is so much flawed with how hiring works and, annoyingly, the only way to change it seems to be those who need accomodations to advocate for themselves and call out illegal behaviours.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[deleted]
TechnicalPragmatist 5 points 1y ago
Yeah, I hope you get the job! Best of things!!!!
Also I must reveal pretty early on there’s no evading it after a while. If it’s in person there’s no hiding. I am total so my cane sticks out and I’ve been blind for 20 years and look blind actually, because I am. Not that I am incompetent. But I don’t look sited or have visual type things. So no hiding really here.
Also I must reveal pretty early on there’s no evading it after a while. If it’s in person there’s no hiding. I am total so my cane sticks out and I’ve been blind for 20 years and look blind actually, because I am. Not that I am incompetent. But I don’t look sited or have visual type things. So no hiding really here.
flamboyantplatypus 2 points 1y ago
It's great that you are so accommodating for peoples needs. It seems like you are focused on recruiting people based on their skills and ability to perform the work given to them. It's unfortunate that it's often a different story for people with a variety of disabilities. The more common story is that someone discloses their disability and they are automatically assumed not capable of fulfilling the role.
Based on OP's post hopefully things are changing in that respect and people with disabilities will feel like they can be more open to sharing their disability throughout the hiring process.
Based on OP's post hopefully things are changing in that respect and people with disabilities will feel like they can be more open to sharing their disability throughout the hiring process.
zersiax 3 points 1y ago
Not sure about OP, but I'm currently looing, so if either o your places accept remote applicants, let me know? :) u/OddlyAccessible and u/biopticcoder
OddlyAccessible 3 points 1y ago
if you are still looking for work after this, let me know. i might know of a place that is hiring coders and is blind friendly.
biopticcoder 2 points 1y ago
I also have a place that is hiring if it comes to that.
I am so torn on this topic I usually don’t disclose until after they have made the job offer, but I also don’t usually need accommodations during the process. That being said I have not been in any interviews where I had to code live and were in person. The older I get the more I disclose early in all situations, but that comes from a place of privilege in being confident with my track record as I get more senior.
I am so torn on this topic I usually don’t disclose until after they have made the job offer, but I also don’t usually need accommodations during the process. That being said I have not been in any interviews where I had to code live and were in person. The older I get the more I disclose early in all situations, but that comes from a place of privilege in being confident with my track record as I get more senior.
RunsOnBoltCoffee 2 points 1y ago
I did the same. It paid off and still here a year later. You’ve got this. 👍🏽
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