After a problem on the job

Advantages: Opportunity to prove oneself on job before disclosure

Disadvantages: Employer may accuse you of falsifying your application; Can perpetuate disability myths and misunderstandings

Never

Advantages: Employer and coworkers will not automatically assume that any work performance issues are disability related; you will not be asked to explain your disability.

Disadvantages: If disability is discovered, you run the risk of being fired.

Summary

Self-advocacy is vitally important for individuals with learning disabilities. There are many barriers that could prevent effective self-advocating: poor self-awareness as a learner; not knowing who to contact to obtain necessary job accommodations ; not being able to articulate personal strengths and needs.
We can teach self-advocacy by encouraging the learner to:

• Understand his/her specific learning disability
• Know their legal rights and responsibilities
• Use specific social skills
• Know a few ways to request accommodations
• Be clear about their individual responsibilities

Disclosure is also an important issue that impacts employment for individuals with learning disabilities. Learners can be taught how to disclose and the pros and cons of when to disclose.