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The Career Center has a longstanding commitment to supporting students with disabilities and has had the opportunity to assist students expressing a range of concerns, including:

• Health insurance, pre-existing conditions, the confidentiality of medical records, and the need for on-going medical treatments
• Gaps in work history, a low GPA or a nontraditional transcript
• Issues of pain, stamina, fatigue or the unpredictability of illness or disability
• Worksite accommodations for the students with learning disabilities
• The need to work only part-time to maintain health

Here are some quick reflections offered by six Cal alums who represent a wide spectrum of majors and career fields. Their disabilities differ as well: learning disabilities; MS, cancer and other chronic medical conditions; repetitive strain injury, back conditions and other injuries; bipolar disorder, depression and other psychological disabilities.

Although the differences are great, common themes emerge. All agreed that academia is a somewhat rigid environment with only a finite number of accommodations available to a student. Working is a very different situation and it's just a matter of figuring out what you need and asking for it.

Career Center: What are the differences between negotiating classroom accommodations and accommodations at work? How did you disclose your disability to your employer?

Lisa Garrett, Research Analyst - Nonprofit Think Tank (BA Anthropology)

Managing my depression while a student at Cal was rough. I had to withdraw several times while I learned to manage stress and my disability. It took me 8 years to complete my BA degree. I was worried about having taken so long, but employers only saw my graduation date and the fact that I had taken on several good research internships along the way, so it was really not a problem.

After a couple of weeks on the job, I talked to my supervisor about my disability. By that time I was well established in the office as a team player and good research analyst. We worked out a good system for my reporting which maintains my confidentiality. Working at home when I need to is not a problem because I always get the job done. I have good days and bad days with my disability, to tell the truth. Once in a while I need to change my medication and might not be able to come in to the office on a given day. It is no big deal to my supervisor at all.

Jim Gonzales - Accountant (BA Mechanical Engineering)

Trying to maintain my GPA as a student with a learning disability was a nightmare. I would contribute consistently in class and know a subject matter backwards and forwards. I'd tutor classmates who would end up getting A's on the midterm, while I'd get a C. During job interviews I really pushed my skills and my internship experiences, and I had really good references. On the job, I'm "tested" on my ability to get a project done on time. I can rely on my wits - my ability to get my hands on the information I need rather than to instantly recall it.

I haven't formally discussed my learning disability with my employer but make personal adjustments all the time. It's pretty straightforward stuff really. Since I have some auditory processing problems, I need to make sure I understand instructions. I rephrase things; ask questions to make sure I have it right. The other day my supervisor came in with a new project and assumed I'd want to sit with her and take it all in in one shot. Knowing my own learning style, I told her that I'd rather take the file, study it a bit and ask specific questions later on. She was fine with it.

Angela O'Neil - Research Analyst, Biotech (BA MCB)

I have a chronic lung condition and the fumes in the campus labs were causing a lot of flare-ups. I thought I might have to change career goals. Luckily I decided to do some informational interviewing in the private sector and found out that industry labs are much cleaner and chemical spills almost nonexistent. I'm able to tolerate the environment just fine. I did have a medical setback shortly after I started working but was able to combine vacation and sick leave to accommodate ongoing medical treatments and still keep my job.

Susan Fang, Project Manager - Healthcare (MPH)

I came to Cal as a re-entry student after developing carpal tunnel syndrome at my previous job. I wasn't the typical graduate student, going through various medical treatments and in pain most of the time.

I was glad to see that ergonomics are more understood in the workplace now. After I was hired, I spent a little time evaluating my work environment, what kinds of data entry support there was and how I could effectively do my work at the computer. I have a standing workstation with a shortened keyboard that really helps me manage my RSI.

I also negotiated a 6-hour day from a full-time job in the beginning because I was concerned I would re-injure myself. I work full-time now and average 40 hours a week. Some weeks I am off a lot to rest and other weeks I make up for it. As long as I get the job done, my supervisor isn't concerned about how long I can physically sit in front of a computer.

Karen Green - Human Resources Manager (BA Psychology)

It's so much easier now than when I was a student! There are more ways to work "with" my disability in the working world than there were in school. While in school I needed extra time on exams, but with work I am able to negotiate to get the time I need without explaining my disability. To get accommodations on exams had been a struggle. Each professor has their own opinions on learning disabilities and providing requested accommodations, which is always difficult to discuss and/or address. Spell check, the dictionary and voice mail make it easier sometimes to get around my disability than while in school sitting in a lecture or taking a quiz. During school, taking notes while listening was always a struggle. At work during meetings, someone else usually takes meeting minutes so that helps.

Henry Brown - Engineer (BA Civil Engineering)

I got the diagnosis of MS (multiple sclerosis) my senior year at Cal. I was going through a lot of uncertainty, having problems with walking and other symptoms. First I decided not to talk about my MS during job interviews. But I felt I was too guarded having my medical condition always in the back of my mind. I believe I came across as an unenthusiastic candidate as a result. So I decided to be upfront and disclose my disability during the interview process. There were some funny reactions for sure but three companies seemed okay with it and I got an offer from one of them.

I've been at my company for 2 years now and all is well. I do have fluctuations in my health, but we are a small company with a strong teamwork ethic. If I am unable to go out in the field on a given week, I'll cover the administrative end for awhile. It all works out.

Career Center: What advice do you have for students with non-apparent disabilities or medical conditions?

• Be focused in your career goals. Use the Career Center to find out what you want to do. Employers hire you for your skills and once those are valued, negotiating accommodations is easy.
• Get Internships in your field of interest so you can be competitive and focused. It's also a good way to try out discussing accommodation needs with employers before you graduate.
• Try not to become too isolated on campus. It is hard not to be the "normal" healthy student but there are others like you around. Take advantage of campus and community resources such as the support groups at the Disabled Students Program or the Repetitive Strain Injury Support Groups in the Bay Area. Often your peers will have some great strategies for coping that you hadn't thought about.
• When and how to talk about your disability to a prospective employer is a personal decision. But remember that it's your right to wait until you know what you need before you disclose. It helps if you have thought about some possible solutions to include in that first discussion. This isn't an issue of whether you are being honest or not, it's making sure you understand the situation well enough to identify and suggest an appropriate accommodation. Make an appointment with Sarah Dunham at the Career Center to discuss these issues (call 642-1716 for an appointment).
• Overcoming your own personal issues related to your disability or illness is half the battle. The best approach to take is to have a relaxed confidence in your abilities, regardless of disability-related concerns. Then, when you are ready, devise a concise ability-related disclosure statement. This will go a long way towards reassuring employers that you have thought about the essential functions of the job and are interested in being a productive member of the team.

Additional Resources

CareerMail - Students with Disabilities or Medical Conditions

Students with Disabilities - Career Center web section

The Job Accommodation Network - contains job accommodation strategies

Online Publications List - Department of Labor's Office of Disability and Employment

Americans with Disabilities Act Focus on Employment

Fact Sheet "How Private is My Medical Information?" published by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment - includes definition of "Reasonable Accommodation"