Is it TMI or ADA advocacy? Self-Determination, Self-Advocacy, and Disclosure in the Workplace

The Americans with Disabilities Act forbids employers from discriminating against applicants or employees on the basis of disability. Yet, disclosing a disability to an employer to request ADA accommodations can be fraught with fear, insecurity and can even prevent a person from receiving the workplace mentorship and support needed. This presentation will explain the ADA, accommodations, disclosures, and strategies for self-advocacy. Mentorship and support are crucial elements of any successful career and we will also discuss how everyone can and should be an ally and mentor in the workplace to folks with disabilities.

Tere Ramos ’93 is Executive Director at Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD). She has almost 20 years experience with the intersection of disability rights, ADA, education, and the law. She is an expert on language access rights, especially regarding limited English proficient students with disabilities. Her life’s mission is to seek access to equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in underrepresented communities and those who are often underserved by established systems. She was previously a managing attorney at RamosLaw LLC, focusing on representing children with disabilities in education and civil rights and also worked as an attorney with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. In addition to her career in disability law, Tere was the Interim Director of Student Accessibility Services at Brown University, helping students obtain needed accommodations to realize their full potential. Tere received an undergraduate degree from Wellesley College, a master's degree from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, and her law degree from Boston College Law School. In her free time, Tere loves to travel, exercise, take long walks with her dogs, and help rescue animals in Puerto Rico.