How to Disclose

If you decide to disclose your learning disability, be prepared to discuss the following:

• The features of your specific learning disability
• How your LD affects your performance
• The accommodations or modifications you need to be successful on the job
• Examples of successes you have had in the past when you have used these accommodations

Be straightforward in your statements. Discuss your disability briefly, honestly, and in a positive light. For example, you might say something like the following: "I have a learning disability that affects my understanding of multi-step instructions when they are given verbally. You can help me by either writing the instructions down, or permitting me to either write them down or tape record them. In my last job, my supervisor always sent me email messages with instructions, and it worked out fine. In fact, I received an outstanding evaluation on my last performance review."

At this point, you should be prepared to answer questions about your learning disabilities. There is a common misunderstanding that learning disabilities are somehow related to other conditions like mental retardation or vision and hearing impairments. Be prepared to dispel these myths. You may even wish to give your employer a simple fact sheet on learning disabilities.

After you have come to an agreement with your employer about your specific LD-related needs, you might want to ask for a memo or letter documenting your discussion and detailing any specific accommodations that you have arranged. Asking for this memo should not be seen as adversarial, but rather as a record of mutual understanding of what you need to be productive on the job.

And it goes without saying that you should never use your learning disability as an excuse for failure on the job.