The ADA in the Workforce Applying the ADA to your future career

1. The ADA in the WorkforceApplying the ADA to your future career Chris Dennis Intern – Student Disability Services 3/22/2017

2. Outline of Topics • What the ADA is and its application in the workforce • ADA Defined • What is the ADA • ADA Limitations • Confidentiality • Accommodations and Disclosure • What accommodations are • How to request accommodations • Disclosing a need for an accommodation • Seeking Employment • Job searches • Resume writing • Interviewing Tips • Questions

3. ADA Defined • What is the ADA • Prohibits discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities who work for: • Federal/State/Local government • Private businesses with more than 15 employees • Disability defined • A person with physical or mental impairment that causes a substantial limitation of one or more major life activities • Having a record of such an impairment • “Regarded as” having an impairment • What are major life activities?

4. ADA Defined (continued) • ADA Limitations, i.e. what does the ADA not do • Guarantees employment • Prospective employees must be able to perform essential job functions • Determining what is an essential job function • Provides preference to an applicant under the ADA to an employee not under the ADA • Prevents employees under the ADA from dismissal due to performance or workforce reduction

5. (Continued) ADA Defined • Confidentiality • Information about employees under the ADA and any accommodations must be kept confidential • Supervisors can receive information on a limited basis • Supervisors should keep their knowledge of accommodations confidential • Employers cannot • Disclose accommodation or disability related information to any interested parties, i.e. other employers • Employees are able to disclose at their own discretion

6. Accommodations and Disclosure

7. Accommodations & Disclosure • What Accommodations Are • A reasonable adjustment or modification to: • The manner or circumstances under which work is normally performed • Enables an individual qualified under the ADA to perform essential job functions • Allows an individual under the ADA to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment • Does not cause an undue hardship to the employer • Is cost prohibitive • Examples of accommodations • Providing technology to assist an employee with a vision impairment • Provide a captioning option for an employee that is hard of hearing • Alteration to break schedule to address a medical condition

8. Accommodations & Disclosure (continued) • How to request accommodations • Asking for accommodations • Submit request in writing • Use employer-created form, or locate an applicable format online • Use the terms ADA and reasonable accommodation • Consult with • Supervisor and Human Resources • Doctors and/or Specialists • Check for additional information online • Accommodations requested by others • How those accommodations did or did not work for others

9. Accommodations & Disclosure (…continued) • Disclosing a need for an accommodation • Is disclosure required? • Disclosure is not a requirement for employment • Only necessary if requesting an accommodation • When disclosure may be appropriate • Applying with an employer that has an affirmative action program for people with disabilities • Applying with an employer that has a positive record of working with people with disabilities • When a qualified person with a reasonable accommodation can perform the essential job functions

10. Seeking Employment

11. Seeking Employment • Job Searches • Initial Tips on Job Searches • Seek opportunities that interest you, avoid those that do not • Look for an opportunity that allows you to use your strongest skills • Personal contacts and organizations can help • If necessary, seek out internships and volunteer opportunities for work experience • Resources • Career One Stop at careeronestop.org, provides information and links to disability friendly employer opportunities • Job Accommodation Network at askjan.org provides information on accommodations • O*NET Online at onetonline.org provides details on occupations, their educational requirements, and typical needed skill sets

12. Seeking Employment (continued) • Resume Writing • Cover Letter • Your opportunity to brag • Emphasize your strengths • Tailor to the employer • Resume • Keep format similar to a college paper • Use short concise sentences • Bullet points to draw attention to important details • List education first • Provide references • Avoid personal pronouns

13. Seeking Employment (continued, 3 of 3) • Interviewing Tips • Dress up • Be prepared • Find out how your skills will integrate with the opportunity • Know how you will be of a benefit to the employer • Frame coping skills as an advantage • Ex. Tell the prospective employer that your use of lists and planners show your attention to detail and organizational skill • Requesting an accommodation • Determine ahead of time if it is necessary • If there is discomfort about disclosing a disability, rephrase the request without invoking the ADA

14. Texas Tech University