I have ocd/adhd/anxiety and had an IEP, 504 and accommodations in college though I never disclosed to my previous employers or internship supervisors. In the US, job applications always ask to voluntarily disclose disability status and under the ADA’s equal employment opportunity commission, adhd (as well as ocd and anxiety) are categorized under the same list of imprisonments as blindness, deafness, autism, MS, CP etc etc. I am always on the fence on whether or not to disclose (I recognize the privilege in this.) 

My mom has very mild MS (essentially just numbness in one hand) and she explained that she doesn’t disclose because it doesn’t hinder her work and she believes disclosing would hold her back more than help her, so I haven’t been disclosing either.  That being said, being a recent 2020 grad desperately(!!) looking for employment, I am worried that I am not going to be able to preform my best and not sure what the protections or process is for getting support without this initial disclosure?? Additionally, many government jobs have pathways for applicants with disabilities, and i am not sure how to navigate when I put myself in a pool of applicants with and without disclosing. Does that make sense?

If you have any guidance how you have decided when to disclose in a job application and insight as to how this helped you as an applicant and employee that would be very helpful to me. I recognize the privilege and abilism inherent in struggling when to disclose a disability and hoping this community can help me navigate thinking through this. Thanks so much!