Don't Ask, Don't Tell

[chaoticidealism]

This actually isn't another GLBTQA post. Hehe. I know, surprising. But it is about being in the closet. Read on

Comments

DADT

[anonymous]

As an employer who has to make choices among many many highly qualified applicants for single positions, I would suggest the "don't ask, don't tell" approach. I am not allowed to ask if you have a disability, I can only ask if you can do the job. Similarly, I really only need to know that you can do the job better than all of the other applicants. I don't need to know if you are NT, straight, bi-racial but passing, etc. I need to consider how an applicant will fit into the existing work structure. If I have highly productive yet intolerant staff member, and am faced with three or four excellent choices among applicants, I will be least likely to select the person that will cause friction or interfere with the workflow.

Re: DADT

[chaoticidealism]

In many situations, disclosing a disability is unnecessary. But if a person needs accommodations of any sort, they have to disclose at least the fact that the disability exists. During an interview, one merely needs to assure the employer that one can do the job.

But later on, I'm not going to pretend my disability doesn't exist. Not only is autism a big part of who I am, but it is also part of what will make me good at my job. I wouldn't be so detail-focused if I were neurotypical; nor would I need nearly as much peace and quiet to be able to work well. When a simple Google search on my name easily reveals that I am autistic, it's not like I can stuff myself back into the closet anyway!

[imps85]

Thanks for the great article. one can only fathom how hard it must have been for temple grandin.

I agree completely.

[anonymous]

I believe in being open about my autism. I don't always announce it to everyone I meet right away, but I don't try to hide it. I figure that people who think less of you for having autism aren't worth having as friends anyway.

Re: I agree completely.

[chaoticidealism]

Yeah. I think I'd prefer people to know I'm autistic anyway, rather than have them think I'm deliberately rude, high on something, or incompetent. The fact is, I'm going to seem weird no matter what, and I'd prefer people to know why rather than speculate.