Get Your Students Hired
While most employers will make efforts to accommodate people with learning disabilities, as schools do, there continues to be a negative perception of learning disabilities that will follow the people who have them. So, in addition to struggling with the limitations imposed by a learning disability (such as difficulty in focusing, deciphering and absorbing material, or performing certain kinds of tasks), people with learning disabilities may also encounter negative and/or begrudging attitudes from coworkers and employers.
Brenda,
That doesn't exactly speak to the question, Brenda (which was about students with ADHD). Moreover, the kind of thing you describe (restrooms, desks, doorways) are he kind of barriers that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires be modified, as needed, on the job as well as at the college level.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Students with handicapp may suffer limitations created by significant problems when the restrooms, desk or doorways are not handicap accessible or limitations are placed do to job description or physical limitations.
Meredith,
This is less an issue of hiring than of performance on the job. It is unlikely that the employer would KNOW that the person had ADHD at the time they were hired. Employers are not allowed to ask about disability status before making an offer of employment. The bigger issue is whether, once the individual gets on the job, will he/she be able to manage their disability and, if necessary, ask for appropriate accommodation so that they can successfully perform and STAY hired.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
ADHD could have an impact on a student's employment experience after their schooling. However, I would hope that an employer would view a potential applicant with ADHD as they would any other applicant: an individual who has some areas that are strengths and some that are weakensses. I would also hope that the employer would take the time to interview and understand the applicant with ADHD rather than just assuming that they will be easily distracted or be impatient. Although there are certain common symptoms that can be associated with ADHD, each person affected by ADHD is unique and may not experience all symptoms.
Freda,
I don't know much about employment law, but I am guessing that unions don't often get involved with ADA related issues. In fact, if memory serves me right, the unions have generally been unhappy with the provisions of the ADA because the right to accommodation can sometimes trump the union's seniority system. Nothing is ever easy! GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
ACCOMODATIONS ARE NOT CRUTCHES. THE PURPOSE IS TO ALLOW A FAIR START AT THE MARK TO ASSIST WITH THE BETTER OPPORTUNITIES TO CROSS THE FINISH LINES. ONE THING THAT WOULD MAKE THEIR CHANCES BETTER AND/OR EQUAL IS EMPLOYMENT WITH A UNION.
Judy,
It is always good to arrange your educational activities to mirror the responsibilities of the world of work, not only so students get a realistic picture of what will be expected, but so that they can learn adequate coping strategies while they are still in school, and still have a more complete support network in place.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
The ability to maintain a schedule, dress code, and overall, getting the "rules" straight. I tell my students there are rules and bosses everywhere, we can't urinate in public and we must show up to work on time. I believe my job as an instructor is to not only teach them the course material, but the real life work of their chosen career.
Jeremy,
That's often part of the problem -- people underplay the significance of the disability and how it impacts on the individual. It is a REAL disability and can often be MORE debilitating than some more visible disabilities because it cannot be observed casually, and thus people think it is something that the individual could and should have under control.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
While we may do the job tailoring an education to a person with ADHD, there is no guarantee that an empolyer will. Their behavior may be viewed as disruptive or disrespectful, and I could see how it could even lead to termination. Personally, I have never thought of ADHD as a disability as much as a condition.
Shannon,
I agree, Shannon. The same problems that students might experience in college can "translate" to problems on the job (late for class = late for work). That is why we hope that students will learn coping strategies while they are still in school that will allow them to be more functional when they get out and on their own.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Someone with ADHD might lack attention to detail, organization, and the ability to complete deadlines in a timely manner. This and other issues would vary depending on the severity of one’s condition…and from experience with a friend who is clinically diagnosed with ADHD, an individual with ADHD can also sometimes suffer from depression and low/little self-esteem. In today’s competitive job market, employers might have very limited tolerance to tardiness, lack of organization, and deadlines not be met. In post-secondary education we are working with adults, many of whom have been learning to cope with their ADHD part of if not most of their life. School life is a lot of time much like school life…you need be on time for class, keep your notes organized, finish homework in a timely manner.
Brittani,
I think you have made some assumptions here based on the GENERAL image of a student with ADHD. You are right in suggesting that evaluating the job to see whether the tasks will feed into their disability is a good idea. But not everyone's problem will be solved by movement or interaction with others. And some may find that a single focus on one task that changes in nature as they go along (such as sitting at the computer but dealing with different tasks WHILE at the computer) might be ideal in focusing attention.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think it'd impact a students work performance the most if they chose a job that required a lot of sitting or standing in one place for long periods of time. As well as looking at a computer screem all day or paper work. The right career path for that student in my opinion would be an on the go type of job. Lots of moving, and interacting with others.
Tammy,
It is always tough to find a niche when you are trying to work around a known difficulty. Have you talked with your daughter about tricks she can use to get around her problem? I know that in some restaurants they do not want the wait staff writing at the table, but going to the computer to enter orders afterwards. Maybe, though, in her case, taking some form of shorthand notes might be acceptable? I'll bet that if the two of you brainstorm, you could find a way to organize her work so she could feel more confident in her ability to get it right the first time!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Having a daughter with ADD, I know that she has a hard time keeping a job. She has been the most sucessful waitressing as she only has to hold her attention while at the table. However, if she gets distracted before entering the order, she will forget, at times.
Tequila,
I think you have identified a major issue. Students with disabilities need to learn how to manage their disability-related symptoms to survive in the real world. Managing may INCLUDE learning how to advocate for themselves and ask for accommodation, but they will need to understand their disability well enough to know what to ask for. There is nothing comparable to the "disability service provider" of the higher education setting in the world of work.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I believe the impact is greater than in the classroom. The individual still has to complete the job no matter their disability. I think that the employer will not be tolerable because they are not educated about these issues. I was a teenager working in fast food, I was often distracted to the point of leaving customers at the register so that I could get burger patties, cook fries, or make drinks. That was not my job at the time but I knew that it was necessary. Of course, my mind would alway go somewhere else after on task or another. This often go me reprimanded and told to get back to the register. My feelings were hurt because I was working, but I was not putting the customer first. Employers don't know or care how to keep someone with ADHD on task, therefore in order to stay employed the individual has to work hard to stay focused and get the job done.
LaTavia,
Agreed. Students with ADHD will do better in the workplace if they learn to manage their own disability related symptoms as much as possible. But they shouldn't be afraid to ask for accommodations on the job, either.
Dr. Jane Jarrow