Press Release January 19, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

eSight Bloggers Identify Attributes
of Risk-tolerant Leaders With a Disability

(New York City, NY - January 19, 2006) Even though they may give employers less turnover, disabled job candidates who possess three characteristics can also turn out to be among a company's best leaders because they know how to take appropriate career risks.

Those three traits are a sense of self, a feel for reality and a taste of success.

Employers might want to consider those attributes as they seek job candidates with a disability who are right for their companies, writes Jim Hasse, senior content developer for eSight Careers Network.

According to Hasse, that's the message members of the eSight online community generated during their December 2005 discussion on eSight's "Swimming in the Mainstream" blog.

The bloggers shared their personal experiences about when they realized they were functioning as an adult by taking a calculated risk in a career-building situation.

Last week, the Employer Resources section of eSight Careers Network highlighted Hasse's summary of the discussion from an employer's standpoint in a new article, "Target Job Candidates With Disabilities Who Are Risk Takers."

Specifically, the SiM blog participants discussed this question:

When is it time to ignore advice to "play it safe" and take a risk by changing jobs?

While considering that question, the eSight bloggers began to identify the three attributes (confidence, risk-tolerance, leadership) which seem to be essential for job candidates with a disability who want to build meaningful, mainstream careers.

At one point in the discussion, eSight member Liz observed, "...All life is a risk to those of us with disabilities... We take risks from the time we acquire our disabilities or are born with them, and we get so used to it that we don't even realize it..."

Another, blogger, Fred, admitted, "...People may expect you to jump through flaming hoops, but you can put the heat on if you need to when it comes right down to it. I wouldn't give up the security of my job unless it was intolerable, and, before I gave up, I'd fight."

The discussion also prompted eSight member Bonita to point out one pitfall for employers who seek to gain the advantage of lower turnover by hiring individuals with a disability. She wrote:

"...The attitude is sometimes very subtly conveyed that we must stay at one job and grapple with gratitude because someone gave us a chance. That is wrong... I know of cases where (disabled) employees have been taken advantage of because the employers thought they would not or could not quit. Always seek to better yourself -- your whole self."

eSight's SiM blog is designed to help:

1. eSight members share their personal experiences as individuals with a disability in the workplace.
2. Job seekers showcase their accomplishments to prospective employers.
3. Employers expand their awareness of disability employment issues.

The blog is made possible by a grant the American Express Foundation has awarded to The Associated Blind, Inc.

The Associated Blind, Inc., a 66-year-old non-profit organization, has been providing members of eSight Careers Network opportunities to collaborate on disability employment issues through accessible online discussions and resource building since October 2000.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Source: The Associated Blind, Inc.
Contact: Nancy O'Connell
Tel: (+1) 212 683-4950
E-mail: MemberServices@eSightCareers.net

Online community:
www.eSight.org

Blogs:
Networking Forum
Job Seekers Network
Swimming in the Mainstream
Community News


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