Resources for Students with Disabilities

The Office of Career and Professional Development (CPD) at Washington and Lee University has not vetted any of the internship and volunteer opportunity listings on this page and makes no representations or guarantees regarding any of the listed opportunities. It is the responsibility of students and alumni to do their own due diligence when applying for and accepting any of these opportunities.

CPD strives to make our services welcoming and accessible to people of all backgrounds.  If you identify an area of our work that you believe misses a critical perspective or employs language that needs improvement, please contact careers@wlu.edu. We welcome your feedback.

Quick Links: General Career Advice | FAQs | Career Resources | Workplace Issues and Resources | On-Campus Resources

General Career Advice

  • Understand your protections against discrimination: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex which includes sexual/romantic orientation and gender identity/expression. The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination based on disability. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy. Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prohibits discrimination based on genetic information.
  • Know your rights: Understand the questions employers can and cannot ask you as you proceed through the hiring process. Review a sample of allowable and prohibited questions here. Focus the conversation on your skills and abilities and what you bring to the workplace.
  • Research the company's culture and stance on disabilities: Connect with an employee or visit the company to check out the accommodations they provide for employees.
  • Prepare for an interview: Disclose your disability if you need an accommodation for an interview or meeting. You may need to provide documentation of the disability and need for accommodations pursuant to the company's policies.
  • Disclose as you feel necessary and appropriate: Decide how you would like to disclose your disability and how much you want to explain. This decision often depends on if it is a visible or invisible disability. If requesting accommodations, you will generally need to provide reasonable documentation of the disability and need for accommodations as part of the interactive process pursuant to the company's policies.

FAQs

What are reasonable accommodations?

  • According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a reasonable accommodation is "a modification or adjustment to a job or the work environment that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions" (EEOC). While the employer is required to meet your needs in order for employee to work successfully, the employer is NOT required to adopt an employee's preferred or requested accommodation. The employer may instead offer alternate accommodations as long as they would be effective. Moreover, an employer would also not need to provide an accommodation, even if needed, if it would alter essential job duties.

When is an appropriate time to disclose a disability?

  • If you need accommodations for the interview, let the employer know well in advance. If disability does not affect your work life, you have no obligation to disclose. Review this informational handout for tips on how to disclose.

How should I prepare to disclose a disability?

  • Be ready to explain to the employer exactly what you need in order to do your work. Do research beforehand to analyze the costs; consider drafting your statement and practicing your delivery. To prepare for the request, determine what documentation will be needed and gather that information from your medical provider. Remember to highlight your skills and how you can contribute to the workplace and do not focus entirely on your disability. 

How can I confirm an employer is supportive and accommodating?

  • Read their equal employment policies to understand their position on supporting people with disabilities. When you apply, see if the application asks if the applicant has special needs or talks about the duty of the employer to create accommodations. Determine whether the employer has advertised on-the-job resources for people with disabilities and provides different ways to turn in the application (this may vary depending on the job).  

What kinds of accommodations can be provided?

  • Accommodations will be very specific to the position and impairment at issue. It may include having a building that is easily accessible in terms of infrastructure, flexible work schedules, and modifications for job training and work policies. Depending on the job, the employer is able to modify equipment for people with disabilities.

Career Resources

Workplace Issues and Resources

On-Campus Resources

  • Make an appointment with a Career Advisor on Handshake to discuss your career plans
  • Enroll in CPD Canvas course and join industry groups to stay abreast of opportunities and career-related events 
  • The Class of 1994 Office of Inclusion and Engagement - Creating and maintaining a safe and supportive atmosphere as students integrate into the educational, cultural and social environment of the University
  • Colonnade Connections and LinkedIn - Network with alumni
  • WLUnite - Student club focused on educating, advocating, & raising awareness about disabilities and accessibility at W&L
  • Lauren Kozak, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Disability Resources