|
Every time you enter a new setting or meet new people you may need to make decisions about disclosing personal information. Disclosure of information about your disability may be about ensuring that you can access the supports and accommodations that you need to successfully participate.
Disclosure of disability should not be the focal point whilst developing a career pathway, but needs to be considered. Sometimes it is not necessary to disclose. There are instances where the disability has no impact on your performance or outcomes in education and employment. There is no legal requirement to disclose your disability; however your decision not to disclose needs to be an informed one, not one based on fear of discrimination, or lack of knowledge of the reasons to disclose.
Disclosing may mean:
- Telling someone about the impact of your disability on how you do things successfully, for example, you may need more time to complete work related tasks or exams
- Telling someone about your learning style - do you learn best by reading, doing or listening?
- Providing documentation of your disability or medical condition
- Talking to another student or colleague about what supports you need.
What happens if disclosure doesn't happen?
- Any necessary adjustments that may assist you will not be explored and negotiated
- If your disability has health related problems it will be hard to plan ahead for these
- Impact of your disability can be misinterpreted as poor performance
- There may be an impact on relationships with colleagues, teaching staff and management.
The following is a list that identifies some of the reasons why individuals don't disclosure their disability.
- Fear of discrimination
- Lack of confidence
- Lack of knowledge of the reason to disclose
- Fear of rejection, victimization
- Privacy issues
- Past negative experiences involving disclosure
- Personal acceptance of disability
- Attitudes of significant others in life towards disability
You can prepare for disclosure of disability.
- Have open discussions about your disability and support requirements with your family and friends. This can build your confidence and help you use language regarding disability
- Discuss the supports / 'reasonable adjustments' that are in place for you at school and that will be needed in any setting post school
- Get in contact with other people with a disability and learn from their experiences of disclosing
- Explore assistive technology that may be of assistance
- Be encouraged by people who talk and think positively about disability
- Write down your understanding of your disability and any assistance you may need
- Consider your disclosure in relation to the setting you will be attending and consider the issues relevant in that setting, eg OH&S, Workplace Modifications, Reasonable Adjustments, Confidentiality of Information etc
For more information on Disclosure of Disability, please visit the refer to the Choosing your Path - Disclosure: It's a Personal Decision website www.uws.edu.au/rdlo/disclosure
This website provides substantial information about options and pathways that people with a disability can use in disclosing their disability in post-secondary education and employment environments. The website also articulates the role and responsibilities of employers and educators in relation to disclosure
|
