Disclosure - Bringing Your Whole Self to Work
The WAM programme at AHEAD are running a free training webinar aimed at current WAM employers and potential WAM employers.
When: Wednesday 18th November from 11.30am to 1.00pm
The WAM programme is the transition to employment initiative of AHEAD. It offers graduates with disabilities the benefit of a 6 month minimum fully paid and mentored work internships with high profile employers. WAM was established in 2005 and, to date, have placed over 490 graduates with both private and public sector employers.
Event information
In a disability context, what is meant by 'disclosure' in the workplace? In essence, disclosure is the process of an employee informing their employer about their disability. This may include, for example, a specific learning difficulty, a mental health difficulty, and/or a significant ongoing illness.
Disclosure is cited as one of the most challenging aspects of having a disability. It's complex and influenced by a number of factors such as self-identity, personality, type of disability, context, and previous experience. It presents a major concern during both the recruitment process and in the working environment for both employers and employees with disabilities; there is too commonly a disparity between these two parties on the subject, with the former preferring to have as much information as possible as soon as possible, while the latter may be weary of the impact of providing such information.
This webinar will provide information on the three following themes relating to disclosure:
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Theme 1: The Experience of Students and Graduates with Disabilities
- Theme 2: Recruitment - how can employers encourage disclosure during the recruitment process?
- Theme 3: How can employers encourage disclosure amongst current employees? How Employee Resource Groups can be utilised for this purpose.
We will conclude our webinar with a brief presentation on what an inclusive workplace looks like; one that celebrates employees bringing their whole, unique selves to work.
Speaker Information
Hannah Kelly - GetAHEAD Coordinator, AHEAD
Hannah is a DCU Journalism graduate who utilised the HEAR programme when accessing third level education and was an active volunteer with the access team. As an Access Ambassador in DCU she gained a drive for equality of access and experience in higher education. She is the current GetAHEAD Coordinator at AHEAD, a programme which works to up-skill graduates with disabilities by providing training events and valuable information covering a wide range of topics and resources. This includes regular workshops on disclosure where she hears directly from students and graduates about their concerns. On top of the issues of disability and socio-economic disadvantage Hannah has a passion for other areas of social justice including LGBTQI+ rights.
Lorraine Gallagher - Information & Training Officer, AHEAD
Lorraine Gallagher has worked in the area of disability and equality for a number of years. She is currently the Information & Training Officer for AHEAD and manages AHEAD's information service; dealing with a wide range of queries relating to the education and employment needs of people with disabilities. Lorraine designs and delivers training packages and seminars to a wide range of audiences in Ireland and Europe including teaching and support staff, guidance counsellors, students, parents, and employers. She is also the tutor for participants completing the AHEAD Needs Assessment blended learning course and the sub editor of the AHEAD online journal.
Caroline McGrotty - WAM Programme Coordinator, AHEAD
Caroline McGrotty holds a Bachelor degree in Deaf Studies from Trinity College Dublin and a diploma in Irish Sign Language Teaching (TCD). She also has a higher certificate in Equality Studies from UCD. Caroline has over thirteen years’ experience of working and volunteering with in the disability sector and various organisations within the Deaf community. She is currently Vice Chair on the board of Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS) and the WAM Programme Coordinator for AHEAD which is a work placement programme for graduates with disabilities.
WAM Programme Officer, Rachel Moiselle, will be chairing the event, and after the presentations there will be time allocated for a Q&A panel.
