A word of caution: never use your learning disability as an excuse for failure in a job.

Individuals with learning disabilities should consider the advantages and disadvantages to disclosing their disability and when the right time to do it if they decide to go ahead with disclosure.

When to disclose?

Disclosure on a job application

Advantages: Peace of mind; allows the employer decide if the disability is an issue; easy to do

Disadvantages: You may be disqualified with no opportunity to present yourself or your qualifications; you will never know if screening took you out of the competition

Disclosure during an interview

Advantages: Peace of mind; can speak for yourself about your specific disability issues; discrimination is less likely to happen in a face-to-face situation

Disadvantages: Have to handle disability issues right up front; if there is too much emphasis on disability issue, it could indicate a possible problem; you may not be evaluated on abilities

Disclosure after the interview (when the job is offered and before you begin work)

Advantages: Peace of mind; if the disclosure information changes the hiring decision and you are sure that your disability will not interfere with your ability to perform the job, the Human Rights Code will apply

After you start work

Advantages: Opportunity to prove oneself on the job before the disclosure; allow you to respond to disability questions with peers at work; if disclosure affects employment status and the condition doesn 't affect ability to perform job or job safety, you may be protected by law

Disadvantages: Nervousness on the job; employer may accuse you of falsifying your application; problems on the job may begin; could change interaction with other employees