Thread by @DameWritesalot

A common misunderstanding about learning disabilities:

Just because I'm good at other things does not mean I'm not disabled. My LD (dyscalculia) does not affect ALL my functions.
#InternationalDisabilityDay2021

https://twitter.com/josierones/status/1466814615094976543

Example: teachers thought I was lazy or anxious or just didn't like math because I was a total rockstar at spelling and writing. No.

While dyslexia and dyscalculia can be comorbid (occur together), in my case, they're not. I do exhibit signs of mild dyspraxia.

I have to be careful (i.e., picky) what jobs I apply for since this misconception extends to employers.

Under #ADA, I am entitled to accommodation for things it does affect.

If the accommodation is not reasonable, poses an undue burden to the employer, or I can't do the job even with it, then it's legal to fire or not hire me.

Let's break that down.

Unreasonable:
If I got an admin job where AR/AP was a primary function of the job but could not do the accounting, it could be unreasonable to make someone else do the AR/AP.

From eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/…:

Undue burden:
If a tiny business needed me to perform all administrative functions but could not afford to hire someone else to do the accounting, then hiring me could pose an undue hardship.

They might have to show that no outside funding is available to help them, but I would probably not accept a job under these circumstances. They'd be better off hiring someone who can do it and I'd be better off in a job where I won't struggle.

Can't do the job at all:
No accommodation exists that would enable me to become a scientist. I LOVE science but that's not enough.

Could I do basic fieldwork, like archeological excavation? Yes! I've done this! On a school trip! Found a stone tool!

Still need math for that.

I focus on things I can do, like using pre-configured spreadsheets, editing and writing documentation, form and template creation, process improvement, and more.

Taking notes is hard for me (handwriting), but record the meeting and I can whip out a great transcript later.

By the way, recording meetings is a terrific example of a reasonable accommodation that also efficiently documents a work process and provides the team or department with audio files for a project archive. 😉

See? I'm good at this shit!

Commonly seen in posts for office jobs: "Must be able to lift 50 pounds."

WHY????

What are you doing in there? Shipping compressed elephants?! 🐘

What if the accounting candidate cannot lift 50 pounds or uses a wheelchair and needs a ramp, but (unlike me) they're an absolute whiz at AR/AP?

If this crap is in your job post and lifting 50 pounds has nothing to do with the job, you're discriminating.

#ADA is the law. Employers should embrace accommodation. They're missing out on great candidates due to their own ignorance.

I can do higher-level work. I'm not the only disabled person who can. I just need the right job. At a fair wage, damn it.

Disabled people are more likely to fall into poverty than non-disabled people. This is outrageous in a rich, developed country, and it's absolutely preventable.

From ncd.gov/newsroom/2017/…:

We know best what we can and can't do. We can be fantastic employees. There's no reason to be afraid of us.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has tons of information for employers and job seekers in the U.S. Find it here:

askjan.org