When accommodations are needed for you to have meaningful participation in a community setting, you may want to disclose your disability. Deciding to disclose in any environment should be an informed decision. It is important to understand the purpose in disclosing, know how much to disclose, when to disclose, and be comfortable with talking about your disability to others.

 

If you are a parent disclosing on behalf of your child, it is important to include them as much as possible in the process. Disclosure is both a way to empower a person with a disability and to educate others about how to support the individual’s needs. For children, this is often a skill that has to be taught and practiced in a safe environment. When a person with a disability understands their strengths and needs and is able to disclose them, this will lead to better self-advocacy skills.

 

Disclosure should also be limited to information about how the disability impacts your involvement in community activities. Keeping in mind how you talk to someone who facilitates an art class will be much different than what you disclose to a close personal friend. During the disclosure process, you still have the right to your privacy and to only provide information that is necessary in helping them to understand and support your needs.