Identifying and Serving Job Seekers with Hidden Disabilities in our Workforce Centers

Hidden disabilities A hidden disability is a disability that is not recognizable from the outside. Hidden disabilities may include: Hidden disabilities A hidden disability is a disability that is not recognizable from the outside. Hidden disabilities may include: heart disease heart disease diabetes, diabetes, asthma, asthma, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, psychological disorders, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, psychological disorders, epilepsy, epilepsy, Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI), HIV and AIDS, specific learning disabilities (LD) Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD).

Hidden Disabilities : Awareness Hidden Disabilities : Awareness Not all disabilities are apparent Not all disabilities are apparent A person may make a request or act in a way that seems strange to you. That request or behavior may be disability- related. A person may make a request or act in a way that seems strange to you. That request or behavior may be disability- related.

Some of the more common hidden disabilities that you may encounter in your One-Stop Centers include: Cognitive disorders ( i.e. borderline MR and Brain Injury) Learning Disabilities, and Mental Illness

Basic Etiquette: People With Mental Retardation/Cognitive Disabilities Basic Etiquette: People With Mental Retardation/Cognitive Disabilities People with mental retardation are not "eternal children." Adults with mental retardation should be treated and spoken to in the same fashion as other adults.

Do not "talk down" to a person with mental retardation Avoid stereotypes, such as the assumption that all people with mental retardation enjoy doing jobs that are repetitive, or want to work in fast food restaurants Don't assume that a person with mental retardation lacks academic skills, such as reading, writing, and the ability to do mathematicsDo not "talk down" to a person with mental retardation Avoid stereotypes, such as the assumption that all people with mental retardation enjoy doing jobs that are repetitive, or want to work in fast food restaurants Don't assume that a person with mental retardation lacks academic skills, such as reading, writing, and the ability to do mathematics

People with Mental Retardation/Cognitive Disabilities Provide opportunities for people with limited academic skills to contribute verbally; take what they have to say seriously. Provide opportunities for people with limited academic skills to contribute verbally; take what they have to say seriously. Use clear language that is concise and to the point. Use clear language that is concise and to the point. Speak directly to the person with a cognitive disability. Speak directly to the person with a cognitive disability.

Avoid the term" mental retardation." MR or DD If you need to speak about a person's disability, people with mental retardation prefer the term "developmental disability" rather than "mental retardation." (Mental retardation is one type of developmental disability.)

Hidden Disabilities: Learning Disabilities Hidden Disabilities: Learning Disabilities A disorder in one or more of the basic processes involved in understanding or using spoken or written language, that impacts an individual’s ability of in one of the following areas: A disorder in one or more of the basic processes involved in understanding or using spoken or written language, that impacts an individual’s ability of in one of the following areas: listeningthinkingspeakingreadingwritingspelling doing mathematical calculations

Learning disabilities include such conditions as: perceptual disabilities perceptual disabilities brain injury brain injury minimal brain dysfunction minimal brain dysfunction dyslexia dyslexia developmental aphasia developmental aphasia

Learning disabilities do not include learning problems that are primarily the result of: visual, hearing, or motor disabilities visual, hearing, or motor disabilities mental retardation mental retardation environmental or cultural factors environmental or cultural factors economic disadvantage economic disadvantage

Learning Disabilities: Characteristics People with learning disabilities are usually of average or even above average intelligence People with learning disabilities are usually of average or even above average intelligence Learning disabilities are characterized by a significant difference between the individual’s achievement in different areas, as compared to his or her overall intelligence Learning disabilities are characterized by a significant difference between the individual’s achievement in different areas, as compared to his or her overall intelligence

Learning disabilities may occur in the following areas: Spoken language: Delays, disorders, or discrepancies in listening and speaking; Written language: Difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling; Arithmetic: Difficulty performing arithmetic functions or in comprehending basic concepts

Learning disabilities (cont.) Reasoning: Difficulty organizing and integrating thoughts Organization skills: Difficulty organizing all facets of learning Individuals with learning disabilities may exhibit a combination of characteristics.

The following may also be associated with learning disabilities Hyperactivity Hyperactivity inattention inattention perceptual coordination problems perceptual coordination problems perceptual impairments perceptual impairments motor disorders Impulsiveness low tolerance for frustration problems in handling day-to- day social interactions and situations

Guidelines For Working With Individuals With Learning Disabilities Capitalize on the individual’s strengths Provide high structure and clear expectations Provide opportunities for success in a supportive atmosphere to help build self-esteem Allow flexibility in procedures

MENTAL ILLNESS Mental illnesses are disorders of the brain that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others. Mental illnesses are disorders of the brain that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, moods, and ability to relate to others. It may affect the way a person thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people. It may affect the way a person thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people.

The term “mental illness” encompasses numerous psychiatric disorders, and can vary in severity. Behaviors may include, but are not limited to: depression depression feelings of hopelessness feelings of hopelessness Sadness Sadness apathyinattention poor concentration

Basic Etiquette Due not assume: Basic Etiquette Due not assume: people with psychiatric disabilities are more likely to be violent than people without psychiatric disabilities people with psychiatric disabilities are more likely to be violent than people without psychiatric disabilities people with mental illness have mental retardation; people with mental illness have mental retardation; people with psychiatric disabilities also have cognitive disabilities or are less intelligent than the general population. people with psychiatric disabilities also have cognitive disabilities or are less intelligent than the general population. all people with psychiatric disabilities take or should take medication all people with psychiatric disabilities take or should take medication

Basic Etiquette (continued) Due not assume : people with psychiatric disabilities do not know what is best for them, or have poor judgment people with psychiatric disabilities do not know what is best for them, or have poor judgment a person with a psychiatric disability is unable to cope with stress. a person with a psychiatric disability is unable to cope with stress. people with psychiatric disabilities necessarily need any extra assistance or different treatment. people with psychiatric disabilities necessarily need any extra assistance or different treatment. If someone with a psychiatric disability gets upset, ask calmly if there is anything you can do to help and then respect their wishes.

Tips For Interviewing Customers Interviewers should: Interview customers without preconceptions Interview customers without preconceptions Respect customers Respect customers Believe in customer’s abilities Believe in customer’s abilities Always be positive Always be positive Involve customer in job search Involve customer in job search process process