Job Hunting

People with disabilities face discrimination in many different ways. At school they have to tolerate those who laugh at them and call them names. In public they are stared at and isolated. Can you imagine what I encountered when I was job hunting? Those who interviewed me looked at me as a person with disabilities. I sensed discomfort on the part of those people. They refused to look beyond the disabilities and focus on my strengths and abilities.

In today’s market when jobs are being lost and the normal healthy graduates are faced with the challenges of finding their dream jobs, they become frustrated and dejected because they feel that they have spent time studying and are unable to land that job. If they are experiencing challenges fulfilling their dreams, what is happening to those with disabilities, especially the visible ones?

As a person with multiple challenges, I know that I must work a hundred times harder than the normal person to prove my abilities. I work so that I would be accepted, recognized and be considered for a suitable post within an organization. I also do so for my own self worth. Unfortunately, sometimes, my efforts go unnoticed. Not only do I look different, I am also mentally challenged. But, I am a mentally challenged individual who is capable and who would work extremely hard to prove to be worthy in any institution.

People with physical disabilities should not really face difficulties in the job market because their mental faculties are in tact and have the ability to sell themselves in an interview. They do not fit the norm and as a result they are discriminated against. So, I face an even greater uphill battle.

I am sure those with physical challenges perform at a much higher level than their normal peers. Even with my mental challenges I outperformed my normal peers at college. I was one of three people who graduated with honors. My credentials did not make a difference because I learned all the other students found jobs in the field of study.

So, there is still a great deal of stereotyping in the hiring process and I am appealing to all employers to be more sensitive when it comes to hiring people who are different. The rejection that those with disabilities face can destroy their self confidence and self esteem. Whenever I get the feeling that my challenges are a put off, I always ask why me. My parents remind me that I will continue to face discrimination as long as I live. Each time I hear that, I find it sounds harsh but that is the reality.

Deep down I know that most employers realize that challenged people are just as or even more productive as the normal employees but yet they refuse to be lenient. I know that someone will have to be very patient with me in any work environment because I must be taught everything. The important thing is that I can learn and will strive for excellence. I am capable but differently capable.

My appeal is to those who are in positions to make a difference, to step up and do so. Remove the DIS from the word disability and hire those who are vulnerable and who will be loyal and hardworking.

(Originally published at GoArticles and reprinted with permission from the author, Azeem Kayum).