Disclosure of your Disability at work

Disclosure is just a formal term for discussing your disability with your employers. It means informing your employer, or potential employer, of your disability. You will need to consider whether you wish to disclose your disability, and if you do, when, and how. Whatever you decide, it’s important to know that disclosure is a personal, individual choice and you have no legal obligation to disclose your disability.

If you do decide to talk about it with your employers, you can disclose at any stage of the job application process. You can also disclose after you have started in a job. However, there are a lot of benefits to disclosing within plenty of time for example: Many graduates choose to discuss their disability in order to highlight skills, encourage understanding, and to obtain supports or accommodations. Other reasons can be for health and safety reasons or to secure time off for illness or appointments.

Some students say that they don’t need to disclose their disability because they feel that their disability is unlikely to affect them in a particular job; and some people feel they might receive differential treatment within the recruitment process or in the work environment.

It is okay to have views either way. However, it is still a good idea to give it a lot of thought in case you change your mind in the future (for example, if your personal circumstances or employment conditions / tasks change). When discussing your disability, preparation is the key. Know what you want to say, and ensure you get your message across clearly

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When you disclose you should always include:

• clear information about what accommodations / support you will need to perform to the best of your ability.

See the AHEAD Booklet on Disclosure, a comprehensive resource, which introduces the relevant legislation and provides case examples.

When should I disclose?

You may wish to disclose at any stage: before an interview; during an interview; before starting work, upon starting work; or when an issue arises. This is a personal choice and will depend on why you are disclosing. 

For example, if you need an accessible interview room, you will need to disclose this prior to the interview. If you require assistive technology to fulfill your job function, you may wait until after you have received an offer of employment, but before your first day on the job.

How much information should I disclose?

Again, this is a personal choice and will depend on why you are disclosing. You only need to disclose the details that are necessary for the purpose of receiving supports. You do not need to disclose your whole medical history. However, ensure you provide sufficient information to allow your employer to support you effectively.

Do state clearly how your disability may impact your everyday work and any adjustments that may be required to complete your job effectively. Offer more than a medical term; this will not help your employer support you. Do highlight the skills and attributes you have developed whilst living with a disability. Do help allay any anxieties your new employer may have by describing how you have managed your disability in previous jobs, and within your study.