By Emily Riley

Completing applications for internships or jobs is a pretty normal activity for college students, so normal that you might breeze right past a question near the end: the self-identification of disabilities. Other students don’t have that option. 

The question allows job allows applicants to share any disability they have completely anonymously for the purposes of data collection. The question, said Nancy Forsythe, a faculty specialist for the University Career Center, is not the same thing as disclosure.

Disclosure is when a person with a disability chooses to identify their disability to an employer, supervisor, or coworker. According to the University Accessibility and Disability Services,  choosing to disclose a disability “ensure[s] equal access to services, programs and activities”. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act describes a disability as an impairment that limits any form of life activity. Such a broad definition encompasses a wide-ranging list of disabilities, from physical disabilities to ‘invisible’ disabilities such as autism, dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety and many others.

Although the Americans with Disabilities Act is supposed to prevent discrimination in the workforce on the basis of disability, the stigma that is associated with disability can hold a lot of students back from seeking out accomodations. It’s important for all students to recognize the stigma behind disability and work to change that stigma. “You do see students stepping up,” said JoEllen Barnhart, a professor and advocate for students with disabilities. “And I mean, not just students with disabilities. Neurotypical students, which is important.”

According to Forsythe, although data suggests that 18% of college students have a disability- whether a physical disability or one invisible to the public- only about 2% seek accomodations for it. 

The University offers services through the ADS office for students who need accommodations to make learning a fair and equal process for every student, but with the number of students who need accommodations, it’s difficult for them all to get individualized treatment. 

“The ADS center is the best way for you to succeed,” said sophomore civil engineering student Abby Bollinger, who has ADHD, OCD and an anxiety disorder. “You may be worried about the hassle, but it’s less hassle than you trying to get your grades up because you were too distracted during an exam,” she said. 

It is important that students receive the accommodations they need so that they can learn and process information easier. They “deserve to have a level playing field to success,” said Barnhart. 

Forsythe suggests that students pay attention to what type of accommodations they need in college, and then think about if that’s something they need to succeed in a potential job. If it is, then disclosure is a valid and important step to take.

UMD’s President’s Commission on Disability Issues works to bring awareness to campus-wide issues on equality for those with disabilities. The commission, which works to schedule events, conferences, training programs and more, also created the Accessibility Hub, a list of resources for students and staff concerning accessibility and disability.

Problems for students with disabilities doesn’t end at job applications, and although the university is doing more than it ever has in the past, there’s still much more room for growth. The more conversation and opportunities there are for students, the more improvement will happen. 

“If you need help, we will help you,” said Marie Parker Harvey after the discussion, a Training and Development Coordinator for the Center for Transition and Career Innovation at UMD. 

Events held at the University, such as Wednesday’s workshop on when to disclose a disability to an employer occur regularly through the Career Center. According to Forsythe they put on specialized events about three to five times a semester, as well as offer services to aid students in the recruiting, hiring, and onboarding process. 

“Disability is not a weakness,” said Forsythe during the Oct. 16 workshop. “It can make you the strongest candidate. Your story becomes the reason they should hire you”.

If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility and disability, you can call the office at (301) 314-7682 or visit the Accessibility Office in 0106 Shoemaker from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.