Job application question

[staranise]

A question for y'all:

I'm going to apply for a job as an administrative assistant at a social services organization.  The job posting says, "Preference will be given to applicants with disabilities, recent immigrants, First Nations/Aboriginal applicants, members of a visible minority or applicants with social, cultural or financial barriers to employment."

Exactly how should I mention that I'm mobility-impaired (as a cane user)?  Is there a specific phrasing anyone can suggest for my cover letter?  This isn't the kind of thing one normally advertises, so I'm a bit at sea here.

Comments

[ysobel]

You could say something like "In case you're pre-screening applications for the listed preferential groups, I would like to point out that I do qualify, and can give more details during the interview" or something ... but I'm not sure whether being disabled (or one of the other minority/underprivileged groups) gets you preference in the getting-to-interview stage, or whether they wait to see.

[lauredhel]

A few job applications ask for a photograph - maybe you could put one in that includes the cane?

[smilingslightly]

You could frame it as something that has strengthened you in other desired areas. E.g, "As a mobility-impaired individual, [related life experience] has led me to become skilled in [understanding client needs / coming up with non-standard solutions and alternatives / etc.]" So that there's an additional reason for mentioning it besides the hiring preferences. That, to me, would feel less awkward than, "Hey! I have a disability here, hire me!" (note: speaking from my mindset as a disabled individual; not trying to say how you do or should feel!) And it's a tactic that has worked for me on at least one occasion, though the relevant characteristic/identity for that one involved sexuality.

[jeshyr]

I really like this idea - yay for positivity. And being a person with a disability is totally relevant to any social services organisation, I think.

r

[staranise]

Oooh, I like that idea. I'm really not comfortable asking for handouts, but if they're offering I might as well mention it, you know?

The last job I had, I got fired from for being disabled (and YES, I complained and got awarded damages). It's made me feel kind of gunshy about admitting my disability.