European Week for the Employment of People with Disabilities: what they have to say

What’s your handicap?

I am a very premature baby, born at the age of 6 months. I spent the first year of my life in hospital. I’m lucky I came out of it, but with a few after-effects. I’m hard of hearing, visually impaired and have a motor problem in my left arm. My deafness was discovered later, at the age of 4.

You mentioned the discovery of your deafness at the age of 4. What was your schooling like?

My schooling was chaotic. I fell behind and was stigmatized from an early age. When my disability was discovered, I had to wear earmuffs and visual hearing aids. I also have a voice problem. I have a vocal cord that doesn’t work, so my voice is constantly hoarse. When I was little, people used to make fun of me by imitating me. I’ve been harassed

In spite of everything, you hang in there. You now have a Bac + 5!

When I was 17, I moved to the United States to get away from the French system. It was a real breath of fresh air! I decided to spend a year in total immersion, staying with an American family to learn English and American culture. Following this experience, I wanted to continue my higher education there. I managed to get a scholarship that enabled me to study for 5 years in the state of Texas. I returned to France with a Bachelor Degree in Arts, specializing in communication and PR.

Is there more tolerance in the United States than in France?

I’d say there’s more openness. In France, you’re put into boxes from childhood. Some teachers told me that I wouldn’t succeed in life and that I should be left out. It’s not because you learn more slowly than others that you won’t achieve anything in life.

How did you get into work? Did you tell your employer about your disability right away?

It’s been a long road for me to come to terms with my disabilities. I’ve always thought of myself as a “normal” person. At first, I didn’t want to talk about it because it meant accepting that I was different. It was only after a painful work experience with an unsympathetic manager that I finally started the process of applying to the MDPH (Maison des personnes en situation de handicap) and being recognized as a disabled worker. Today, I accept my differences, even if it’s not always easy.

What do you mean by “unsympathetic manager”?

My first experiences were complicated. During one of them, I was clearly lacking in respect and consideration. I’d been hired as a communications officer and found myself cleaning walls and tidying cupboards. Just recently, I was forced to resign. My managers considered me to be a good employee, but my disabilities meant I couldn’t continue in this position. I asked to be transferred to another more suitable position. I was turned down.

Did mentioning your disability in your job interview make a difference?

Yes, I realize that it was important to talk about it because I’ve benefited from support and equipment adapted to my differences, which makes my daily life easier. Yes, I like the word “difference” better than “handicap”. I find it prettier. The term handicap is heavy and a bit negative. Even if it also takes a form of courage to say “yes, I have differences”. We live in a society full of injunctions to be young, handsome and healthy. Fortunately, things are changing, but there’s still a long way to go….

Does digital technology make your work easier?

Without digital technology, I couldn’t do my job. My disability means that I have to work in peace and quiet. This is made possible by telecommuting two days a week. Working too long in an open space tires me out and causes me tinnitus. My RQTH (Reconnaissance de la qualité de travailleur handicapé – recognition of disabled worker status) means I can benefit from support at work and the right equipment. I work with a computer adapted to my visual impairment, an ergonomic mouse and a PC support so that my screens are level with my eyesight. I also have a wrist rest for my left arm disability and a chair adapted to my back problems to relieve my lower back.

Do we still need to do more to train managers and employees in welcoming and supporting people with disabilities?

Yes, there’s still room for improvement. We associate disability too much with people in wheelchairs (in fact, that’s the visual aspect of the acronym), whereas 80% of people with disabilities have an invisible handicap. It could be chronic illnesses, deaf people… Companies should be much better trained.

What do you think they gain from working with people with disabilities?

Not just tolerance. Working with a disabled person adds value both professionally and personally. It’s also open-minded. It teaches tolerance and humility. It also removes apprehensions. Today, the word “handicap” is still too frightening.

Have you been discriminated against professionally because of your disability?

Let’s just say I didn’t choose simplicity: the communications sector, even though I have a speech impediment! (Laughs).

What could be done to make their employment even easier?

Training. Not just for managers, but for employees too.

Provide specific training for people who will be working directly with them. Of course, this has to be done with the consent of the disabled person. Not everyone talks about it so freely.