Customer Reviews

Successful Job Search Strategies for the Disabled: Understanding the ADA

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Much of the information in this book is just general information relevant to anyone searching for a job - employment trends, self-assessments, how to write resumes and cover letters, how to find job leads (did you know there are employment agencies that refer job applicants to employers? - wow!), who makes a good reference, various types of interviews and generic interview advice.

The disability specific information includes an overview of Titles I through IV, information about the ADA, the various regulatory agencies that monitor compliance and examples of various legal and illegal things an employer or interviewer might do - most of this easily available to anyone with even basic internet research skills. I'm sure Mr. Allen, an attorney, is used to charging big bucks for his services, but how that results in a book that should cost, at most, $24.95, being sold for $280 new is beyond me. I paid $50 for a used copy and for that amount, I really expected to get something more than a book about using executive recruiters, employment agencies and college placement offices to help find a job. Or a list of "Interview Don'ts" telling you that you shouldn't smoke, chew gum, look at your watch or gaze around the room during an interview.

Some of his advice floored me - such as this paragraph: "Even though the law says you don't have to discuss your disability with a prospective employer except as it relates to your ability to perform essential job functions, in reality you probably won't get the job if you don't open up. Your willingness to discuss your disability candidly shows a strength of character that makes you equal to most any task". As a employment specialist who has spent 10 years helping disabled people find and keep employment, I can state from experience that that advice is overly simplistic and in many cases just plain wrong, especially in cases of hidden disabilities such as learning disabilities, mental or emotional disorders or non-apparent physical disabilities such as a permanent back injury. If you're in a wheelchair, you might as well come clean, but if you want to minimize your chances of getting a job offer from a lot of employers, volunteer that you have bipolar disorder, PTSD or epilepsy. The fact is, employers aren't entitled to this information prior to making you a job offer and in many cases revealing it before you need to isn't the wisest thing to do. The interview room isn't a confessional and whether or not to reveal is a judgment call that will depend on the situation, the employer, the type of job you're applying for, etc.

In summary, while there is some good information about the ADA and employment rights of the disabled, and good information about how to prepare for an interview or find job leads, it's no better than the information found in numerous other books that can be purchased for a reasonable price. There is absolutely nothing about this book that justifies the cost, even of the used versions of this book. You can buy 5 to 10 other equally good books on this topic for the price of one used copy of this book.