03/24/2025 “Navigating Disabilities in the Workplace and Community” By Kaylee McGrath

Opening Statement:

This week I would like to share my personal experiences of disabilities in the workplace, in the community, and out in the general public. Possibly some of you reading this article can relate to these issues. My experience within the workplace is still rather new for me. I started interning when I was completing my last year as a super senior in vocational high school, at age 20.  What I have experienced so far is sometimes it helps to be honest with providing information about your disability, however, often it can work against you, as it did with my first internship.

·       I was able to obtain my first non-paid internship at a local recording studio on my own with encouragement from my High School music teacher in 2018.  It was important for me to provide the information that I had a learning disability at my interview because I wanted to be up front and honest. The internship started out great until my co-worker was asked to step in, start training me, and scheduling my hours.  There is no other way to say this, but my co-worker was absolutely horrible towards me and had no patience with re-directing something I was not doing correctly. He was determined not to have me succeed because I told him I had a learning disability.  Not knowing better, I did not speak up and inform my manager what was going on at first.  Over the next few weeks my co-worker failed to schedule any hours for me and my internship was cut short.

·       My second workplace experience was working for my parent’s accountant as a paid summer office intern just a few hours a week. The accountant knew about my disability and wanted to offer me an opportunity of a paid, real work experience during his slow time in the summer. The accountant told my mother, someone needs to give Kaylee a chance and he wanted to give me my start in a paid professional environment.  His office manager trained me to answer phones, take phone messages, schedule appointments, mailings, and check in guests at the front desk. His office manager was very patient and had no problem redirecting me.  She treated me with respect and made me feel like someone who was not challenged.  At the end of the summer, they asked if I wanted to continue working on a per diem basis doing their special seasonal mailings, and of course I said yes. 

·       I started receiving assistance with job training in 2019 with one of the services that DVR (Department of Vocational Rehabilitation) offers.  This job training gave me responsibility, I learned to be a self-starter, and an opportunity to understand about the importance of meeting deadlines. These specific skills were essential for me to learn and master in my current role at Moceans’ Center for Independent Living as a clerk and weekly blogger.

·       In 2022, I started my own small photography business specializing in Landscape and Nature Photography. Being a photographer and participating as a monthly exhibitor at various public libraries, arts & craft shows, and other local events has put me in front of the community. Unfortunately, the only negative experiences I have had are many individuals who are interested in purchasing my work sometimes get frustrated with me as I try my best to answer questions at events or on the phone. Usually, they notice that I am talking slow and choosing my words as carefully as I can. Because of my Dyscalculia (math disability) my mother must help me answer questions, provide prices and sizes of my canvases and metal prints. Within a few minutes of trying to talk to me, potential clients who are interested in my work realize that I have a disability and then become more understanding and patient with me.    

Closing Statement:

It is important for everyone who has a disability to know and understand your rights, and any accommodations you may need to help you at your job.  In most cases, your job will be within the general community or in a private sector.  Co-workers should be understanding and not show judgement including any special transportation and accommodation you may need. You should be treated fairly and be provided with the same advancements and pay scale as others who are not disabled given the same education and years of experience within the position requirements. This is the LAW! Remember, not all disabilities are visible.  

Source of Information: This article was written with 100% of my experiences within the workforce and in the community.

Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!