Disclosing a disability results in employers not giving you a chance

Employers knowing that you have a disability can result in them not giving you a chance. Laws such as the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) restricts what employers can ask about your disability before a conditional job offer has been made because employers frequently used this information to exclude applicants.^[1] Choosing to disclose your disability before you are hired can mean that you don’t get the job. Disclosing your disability prior to the interview might serve as a reason to eliminate you from consideration and mean that you get fewer interview invitations.^[2] If you do get an interview, then learning about your disability can serve as a distraction. The interview can end up being all about your disability instead of your ability to perform the job well.^[3] Finally, even without overt discrimination or distraction, knowing you have a disability can impact how the employer perceives you. Employers may have preconceived notions of your disability.^[4] The possibility of discrimination in the hiring process is a big disadvantage to disclosing a disability.

[P1] Your disability might serve as a reason to eliminate you from consideration. [P2] Learning about your disability can cause the interview to be all about your disability instead of your abilities. [P3] Knowing you have a disability can impact how the employer perceives you.