Disability Law and Disclosure

(Note: I am not an attorney. I have been a disability advocate, and I am disabled myself. If you are having problems at work, please, consult an attorney). If you have a disability, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, you are protected from discrimination once hired, but NOT during the hiring process. If you live in an ‘at will’ state, like NY, where your employer can let you go for any reason, you should keep good records; proving your disability was the reason can be tough. Second, under both ADA and HIPPA laws, you have NO obligation to disclose, explain or justify your disability once you are hired. You have the right to ask for reasonable accommodations in writing, and your employer is obliged to provide them, so long as they are reasonable. Should your duties, pay grade, or work environment suffer after you request accommodations, you should keep good records and report your employer to the EEOC. Should you suffer as a result of this report in anyway at work, that is called retaliation, and against federal employment law. I hope I’ve been helpful!