Ask Slashdot: Dealing With Disabilities In the Workplace?

mpol writes "The job market can be hard right now, depending on your background and location. Having a disability makes things even more interesting. Seven years ago I suffered from a psychosis, and I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I have been recovering quite well, and last year I started searching for a paying job. I found one, but it didn't turn out to be the right place, so I'm back at my volunteer job as web developer. My current workplace is quite unique, as there are several people who have had a psychosis in the past, or have been diagnosed with autism. When I look at myself I know that I have some things that will always play a role: I'm very sensitive to the atmosphere in the workplace for example. I also need clear communication, more so than other people. Furthermore, a workweek of maybe 20-25 hours is the max for me. I tried self-employment, but motivation and discipline are a bit hard to come by, and it's not something that will work for me long-term. In theory it's perfect, in practice not so much. I'm not sure what my short-term future will look like, and for this year I'm quite happy where I am, but next year I might go searching for a salaried job again. I'm wondering if there are more people on Slashdot who have a job in ICT, or are seeking one, and also have disabilities. How did you land at your job, and what issues do you run into in daily practice?"

Comments

Re:I think the OP mentioned self-employment

[gagol]

There are collectives such as the renocollective.com that offers very affordable workspace to freelancers and start-ups. This way you can be self-employed, not working from your home and meet other creative people during the day. You can pay by the day if you plan to work few days a week. I think this can be the next best thing for you if you cannot land a job. Look around your area. Best luck to you.

Re:autistic adult sysadmin

[vlm]

Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 as per http://www.autismpolicyblog.com/2011/03/americans-with-disabilities-act-new.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADA_Amendments_Act_of_2008

http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/11-7-11a.cfm "Comfort Suites To Pay $132,500 For Disability Discrimination Against Clerk With Autism"

This one is very important, look at page two "Examples Illustrating Definition of Disability" one of the examples used to define a disability was specifically to list autism, by name. Its kind of hard to wiggle out of "autism isn't a disability" when its specifically listed by name in regulation as an example of a legally protected disability.
http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/regulations/upload/adaaa-summary.pdf

I mean when the EEOC uses your diagnosis as an example of what the law covers, its kind of hard to claim that example doesn't fit under the definition. Now my ingrown toenail was not listed by name, so I would have a fight in court to prove its a disability by definition, unlike your diagnosis.

Obviously your best bet is as per your own comment:

Accordingly, at the advice of my attorney

Yeah that'll probably work a hell of a lot better than the advice of some idiot on /. who none the less knows some people with autism and also knows how to use google really well. However if you haven't talked to your lawyer since 2008 when they passed the law, or 2011 when the EEOC released their new regulations specifically naming autism, maybe its time to talk again, or at least think about it?