Interviewing
Rhode Islanders with Disabilities
We realize
that many Rhode Island employers do not have
a great deal of experience with interviewing
people with disabilities. As a result, it is
understandable if you and other employers
are concerned about what the proper
etiquette should be or what types of
questions are acceptable (or unacceptable)
to ask.
When
interviewing a Rhode Islander with a
disability, the first, and most important,
thing to do is to relax and make the
applicant feel comfortable. We also suggest
following these simple guidelines:
Preparing for the Interview
First, make
sure your company's employment offices and
your interviewing location(s) are accessible
to applicants with mobility, visual,
hearing, or cognitive disabilities. Also, be
willing to make appropriate and reasonable
accommodations to enable job applicants with
a disability to present themselves in the
best possible light. When setting up the
interview, explain what the hiring process
involves and ask the individual if he or she
will need reasonable accommodations for any
part of the interview process. For example,
if a person who is blind states he or she
will need help filling out forms, provide
the assistance.
General Interviewing Etiquette
Your
company's application and interviewing
procedures should comply with the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits
disability-related questions or medical
exams before a real job offer is made. Make
sure that all questions asked during the
interview are job-related. Other items to
remember:
-
Shake
hands when introduced to someone with a
disability. People with limited hand use
or artificial limbs do shake hands.
-
Always
speak directly to people with
disabilities. If they arrive with a
companion (e.g. a sign-language
interpreter), do not assume that you
must talk to the person with a
disability through their companion.
-
Be
clear and candid in your questioning.
-
Ask for
clarification of terms or issues when
necessary.
-
Don’t
ask personal questions that you wouldn’t
ask someone without a disability.
-
If you
offer to help, wait until the offer is
accepted. Do not insist, and do not be
offended, if your offer is not accepted.
-
Conduct
interviews in a manner that emphasizes
abilities, achievements, and individual
qualities, just as you would in any
other interview.
When Interviewing Rhode Islanders with
Mobility Disabilities
-
Don’t
lean on or touch a person’s wheelchair.
The chair is a part of his/her personal
space.
-
Sit at
eye level with the person you are
interviewing.
-
Be sure
to notify the interviewee if there are
accessibility problems with the
interview location. Discuss what to do
and make alternate plans.
When Interviewing Rhode Islanders with
Cognitive Disabilities
-
If you
are in a public area with many
distractions, consider moving to a quiet
or private location.
-
Be
prepared to repeat what you say, orally
or in writing.
-
Offer
assistance completing forms or
understanding written instructions and
provide extra time for decision-making.
Wait for the individual to accept the
offer of assistance; do not
"over-assist" or be patronizing.
-
Be
patient, flexible, and supportive. Take
time to understand the individual and
make sure the individual understands
you.
For more
information about interviewing Rhode
Islanders with disabilities, please visit
the
Department of Labor.
