Rules for a Good Disclosure
1. Script your disclosure. Write it down and have it critiqued. Run through it with friends who are
employers, with people in the working world.
2. Rehearse your disclosure script until you feel comfortable and good about it, not only with your
lips, but also with your body language.
3. When you prepare your script, avoid being too clinical or too detailed. It may be of great interest
to you, but the interviewer wants to know only 3 things: will you be there; can you do the job as
well or better than anyone else; will you be of value to the company?
4. Remember your script and be positive about your skills and abilities. The more positive you are,
the more you will convey that you are you and you "just happen to have a disability." Conversely,
the more you discuss your disability, the more important it will become in the employer's mind.
The bottom line: You and the employer must both feel comfortable.
Suggestions for Scripts
"I have (preferred term for disability). Currently, I can/have the skills required to do (the main duties) of
the job, but sometimes (functional limitations) interfere with my ability to (duties you may have trouble
performing). It helps if I have (name the specific accommodations you need). I work best when (other
accommodations).
You could also add the following information…
Sometimes you might see (symptoms or behaviors associated with symptoms). When you see that,
you can (name the action steps for the employer). Here is the number of my (employment specialist,
doctor, therapist, previous employer, JAN, etc.) for any information you might need about my ability to
handle the job.
www.twc.edu
