Did you read the story about the young man with a disability who opened a coffee shop because he could get no one to hire him? Can you even imagine the contributions a person with that level of grit and determination could contribute to your business? The numbers cited vary, but consistently the studies indicate that the percentage of Americans with disabilities who are unemployed is very high. At this time of the year, where giving to others is a focus and a New Year brings the promise of new beginnings, I thought I would bring this topic up for discussion and advice. I work with several young people with disabilities and here are some of my experiences.
Stumbling blocks to college for people with disabilities
One young man I know has always wanted to work in the field of computer science. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s at a young age. He and his parents decided to go against the advice to move him to a public school so he could get additional help with his studies, and against advice to put him in reading lab and low-level math courses. Why? Because if they did, he would be tracked into the lowest level courses through-out his education, and there would be very little chance of him getting a college education. Remember, his dream is to work in the field of computer science.
He graduated from high school, an achievement in itself, and scored the minimally acceptable ACT score to get into college. He worked tirelessly to pass his computer science courses. Some he took twice and a few three times, but he made it. He went to the tutoring center, attended his professor’s office hours, and had many of his textbooks read out loud to him, but he made it!
At one point, this young man was not sure he would finish college as there were a few higher-level computer science courses that he struggled to pass. He decided to get an Associate’s degree, finish his BA in Computer Science, and maintain his part-time job at a local grocery store. He completed both degrees in the past year.
This post is the story of one young man, but he represents thousands of young men and women with and without disabilities who have this level of determination to succeed.
Interviewing with communication challenges
Communication struggles
Like many recent graduates, this young man with a passion for computer science is working hard to get a job in his field. However, there is a problem. His disability makes it harder for him to communicate than the average person. He will have a hard time expressing his passion in an interview. His answers to your questions will probably be short. His nervousness will compound his communication struggles.
Delayed responses
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone whose response takes 15 or even 30 seconds longer than you are comfortable with? Imagine being a busy recruiter or a hiring manager, and your candidate seems slow to answer. You may think the candidate is bored or disinterested, but it may be that his or her brain takes an extra few seconds to process the question.
Inability to read nonverbal cues
In addition to being a little slower in their conversation skills, a second thing I have noticed when working with young people with disabilities is that some believe everything you say and interpret it very concretely. One young man had a recruiter call him about a possible job opening for which he would be qualified. They spoke on the phone, and the recruiter said she would call back after receiving this young man’s resume. The young man sat by the phone for four days believing that the recruiter would call. It is a week later, and the recruiter never called back. Many people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cannot interpret facial expressions or make meaning out of conversation other than the actual words spoken. This recruiter’s tone may have implied that she was not interested, but the young man would not be able to receive that message. Telling him that he was not a viable candidate hurts for a minute or even a day. Not telling him leaves hope that hurts indefinitely.
“A child is only as disabled as their environment and the beliefs of the people around them.” —Bala Pillai DPT, PCS
Customer service training on disabilities
As an instructional designer, with a medical and educational background, one company that prides itself on customer service asked me what course I would recommend they develop next for their employees. I suggested a course on communicating with people with disabilities for their call center employees. I wonder if they ever developed the course?
Should you disclose a disability to an employer?
As the New Year brings new opportunities, please feel free to reach out to me if I can help you or anyone you know with a disability. I can help with educational questions and share my experiences with you, but unfortunately, I cannot help with questions about employment. As you have read in this article, I have no solutions, do you?
Should an applicant disclose their disability? Should an employer be able to offer a lower salary to an otherwise great applicant who cannot work as fast as his or her colleagues?
