[mac4theblind] Re: Blindness and off topic job related question
- From: "Stephen Guerra" <stephen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 14:10:45 -0600
Scott-
I attended a lunchen for Scientists, and at my table was a man who told this
story:
I applied for a job in 1943 at White Sans Missile site in New Mexico, and th
job required government security clearance, and a physicist.
I applied with no hesitation, as I was a physicist and had done government
work previously with security clearance.
I sent my application off and got a phone call about a month later. I had a
phone interview and was told at the end I was hired and to report on a
specific date.
I did report and was the last one off the plane with my cane, and the pilot
guided me off.
When I came off the plane, the person who indicated that they would meet me,
approached me and asked if I was who I was. I said yes, and in turn asked
if he was who I had to meet.
The man exclaimed he was, and he then asked why I did not mention why I was
blind during the phone call?
I answered him, that I did not feel it was necessary, and then asked was I
hired on my credentials or not?
He said I was and then exclaimed, "Welcome to NewMexico."
This man was a blind gentlemen who worked on the Atomic Project.
I suggest that you can mention it for mobility purposes, "can you advise
where to meet so I can direct my sighted guide or direct my Guide Dog?"
Other then that, if it is not necessary to inject it to the conversation,
then leave it out.
Understand that doing this also is seen now as not fully disclosing
everything, but your vsion appears that it will not prevent you from doing
the work.
When I apply for jobs, I do not mention it, and am comfortable with that!
Good luck
Stephen Guerra
Assistive Technology Specialist and Technical Operations
independent living aids, LLC | SOUNDBYTES
200 Robbins Lane
Jericho, New York 11753-2341
Phone: 800.537.2118
Direct: 516.450.3817
Fax: 516.450.3842
E-mail: <mailto:stephen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
stephen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Web sites: <http://www.independentliving.com> www.independentliving.com
<http://www.soundbytes.com> www.soundbytes.com
From: mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mac4theblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John Panarese
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 1:56 PM
To: mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [mac4theblind] Re: Blindness and off topic job related question
As the moderator, though the question may not be subject related as it
stands, I think it's a very good question for this environment. I have been
in this position myself, and I have to agree with Lew. There is nothing to
be "ashamed" about. You clearly have a lengthy time of experience in your
field and you, as you said, passed all of the tests and so forth.
I would not make it a point to present your disability or highlight it,
yet I would also not hide it. It is a reality, and if they can't deal with
that, it's better you know ahead of time, especially if relocation is part
of the deal. Let your confidence and experience and qualifications speak
for themselves. The fact you can't see is neither here nor there, and
that's the way I'd treat it if it comes up as an "issue" from anyone.
Take Care
John D. Panarese
Director
Mac for the Blind
Tel, (631) 724-4479
Email, john@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Website, http://www.macfortheblind.com
APPLE CERTIFIED SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL FOR MAC OSX LION
AUTHORIZED APPLE STORE BUSINESS AFFILIATE
MAC and iOS VOICEOVER TRAINING AND SUPPORT
On Dec 6, 2012, at 2:22 PM, Edward Redfern <edwardredfern@xxxxxxx> wrote:
in a case like this, honesty's the best position. be proud of your skills
and your disability, nothing to be ashamed of. if the company sees you as an
asset, they'll take you on regardless, if not, their loss and they'll kick
themselves for it because taking on a blind professional to them would be a
huge "feather in their cap" so to speak.
I've been in that position here in the UK and the times I've applied for
various jobs and had to disclose my disability, because of that, I was
turned down. here in the UK it's a disability discrimination case but these
days, the big companies laugh at you and couldn't give a rats. that's why I
got out of IT because of all that, so worked for myself.
Your skills and knowledge would far outweigh any issues concerning your
disability. the company or contractor just needs to get to know you, what
your requirements are, etc. give you a walk through of all hardware,
software, etc and then let you adapt to it over a suitable time frame for
you. any software there you'd need to test for adaptive scripting then
that's between you and the contractor etc. if you need adaptive hardware,
they should be able to assist you.
all I can say is, go for it tiger, go get 'em.
good luck.
lew
Edward Redfern
Vintage Mower Restorer.
E-Mail: Edwardredfern@xxxxxxx
Twitter: redfernmowers
Website: http://redfernvintagemowers.wordpress.com
<http://redfernmowers.wordpress.com/>
Breathing life back in to old equipment, one day at a time.
Want to recycle your old lawnmower and make a difference? Get in touch for
more information.
On 6 Dec 2012, at 19:12, Scott Granados <scott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I apologize in advance, this is tech / job related but not specifically
Apple so if this doesn't interest you delete and move on.
My usual list for tech professional and blindness questions is
gone but it seems like there are a lot of folks in the work place here so I
would like some input and maybe off list is best so we don't offend the
moderators or other readers by straying from the topic. I posted this
question on the blind sysadmins list but I could use input from a wider
audience. If someone knows of a better list feel free to forward this
question and or give me the pointer to the list to join myself.
In a nutshell the background is this. I have a 20 year + work
history as a network engineer. I am presently employed but shopping around
for a new gig and I've gotten some fantastic feedback so far. One of these
possible positions is working as a Juniper Resident Engineer. This job
entails working on site for over a year with a municipal government
customer. I would be the lead architect and provide the Juniper background
in a long term migration from another vendor's platform to a Juniper
switching environment. I have gone through extensive technical screening
and interviewing and am the primary candidate. The issue is, my interviews
have been done exclusively over the phone and online. There may be a face
to face meeting with the end client which would solve the problem but there
might not be. I very well could get an offer letter and start date with out
meeting anyone in person.
Question, should I inform them of my disability ahead of time?
On one hand I think I should because people are shocked and really unstable
when a blind person walks in for an interview let alone shows up day 1 for a
highly skilled job. On the other hand, I figure why should they know /
care. I have the history, I passed the tests and I know I can deliver the
goods with out question. Part of me says why do I need to tell anyone. You
wouldn't tell an employer if you had a disability that wasn't visible / job
impacting why should this be different. I'm very torn and relocation is a
part of this so I need to get it right the first time. Anyone in this
position before, especially if you've been a consultant who could offer me
advice would be much appreciated. What would you all do? If this is to off
topic then the moderator can speak up and I'm more than happy to kill the
thread. Any pointers would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Scott
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