Resources for Students with Disabilities

Exploring careers and on the job

Internship Opportunities:

·         Internship Opportunities for Students with Disabilities in Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, and some fields of Business
http://ehrweb.aaas.org/entrypoint/

·         Emerging Leaders:
http://www.emerging-leaders.com/

Helpful websites:

·         ABCs of Success for Students with Disabilities

·         The Disability Services Portal

·         Do-It: DO-IT serves to increase the success of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers by promoting the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment.

·         Career Connect, a resource from the American Foundation for the Blind, allows job seekers to learn about the range and diversity of jobs performed by adults who are blind or visually impaired, including current job opportunities.

·         Employment Resources from the National Organization on Disability

Writing Your Resume

You are not required to disclose that you have a disability on your resume.  As organizations you participate in might indicate this, however, be prepared to discuss it in an interview if you include this information.

Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations refers to modifications or adjustments made to the job or working environment that allow a person with disabilities to perform the job duties, without causing undue hardship on the employer.  The ADA requires that employers provide employees with disabilities with reasonable accommodations.  See this link for details: http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html#general. It is your responsibility to determine your needs and to request accommodations.  The job description can be a good resource for determining what types of accommodations you may need.  Once hired, be sure to follow up with the employer about reasonable accommodation and assist the employer by suggesting ways he or she can provide you with the accommodations that you need.

Disclosing Your Disability

Under ADA, employers are not permitted to ask you if you have a disability and it is your right not to disclose this information.  Therefore, if you need them, it is your responsibility to request appropriate accommodations.  If your disability is visible, it might be in your best interest to bring this up with the employer so that you can discuss how this might affect your ability to do the job.  If you require accommodations for the interview, be sure to let the employer know this ahead of time so appropriate arrangements can be made.  If an employer asks you an illegal question during the interview, you can choose not to answer it or, if you feel comfortable, you may decide to be honest and fully disclose the response.  Once hired, if you choose to disclose a disability that may not be outwardly evident, simply be prepared to answer questions about it that are sure to arise.

Additional Resources

·         Career Connect, a resource from the American Foundation for the Blind, allows job seekers and employers to learn about the range and diversity of jobs performed by adults who are blind or visually impaired, including current job opportunities.

·         Employment Resources from the National Organization on Disability

·         Disability Resources from the United States Department of Labor

·         Handling Your Psychiatric Disability in Work or School

·          Job Accommodation Network: which accommodations employees can receive, sorted by topic or disability