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Return to Article: Agencies to boost efforts to hire more disabled employees, report says

• 62007
  

  As a supervisor for a federal program, I had an opening for a secretary position. After the announcement went out (through HQ) I contacted as many local EEO employment agencies as possible to try to give this opportunity to as many disabled job seekers as possible. When I received the list of qualified applicants - there were no qualified disabled applicants on the list. So, I made a huge effort with no result. I mention this so that others will hopeful not think that the federal government doesn't make an effort. The effort to hire disable employees has to start at the local program level. And a lot of leg work by the supervisor has to be made sometimes just to get the opportunity out to qualified disable job seekers.

  M Weldon Posted October 30, 2008 8:46 AM
• 55096
  

  While hiring the disabled is a lofty goal there has to be some common sense in applying the standard. I've had people apply for jobs that are hearing impaired and at first blush we gave it a shot. Unfortunately the people calling in had a real problem understanding the individual when they responded to questions since their diction due to their handicap was hard to understand. We eventually found them a job that works for us but I would never hie another person with that disability for those positions. Remember this is still about providing a service to the taxpayer

  Dan ketter Posted July 28, 2008 11:22 AM
• 55083
  

  There are many disabilities that are hidden from view and therefore do not count as an official disability. I have ankylosing spondylitis, a rheumatic dieases effecting the spine and other joints. It is debilitating, painful and there is no cure. I have had 12 orthopedic surgeries and spend over $18,000 out of pocket each year. I struggle to make it to work each day and business travel is a nightmare of pain. But, there is no wheelchair or other feature to mark me as being disabled. People like me fall between the cracks.

  William Gloor Posted July 28, 2008 10:33 AM
• 55056
  

  Very few recognize that one of the most undected disabilities out there is a learning disability. I have just recognized it in one of my employees and I am counciling the person on how to proceed with even getting it recognized let alone getting accomadations for it. I know this is an uphill battle to wage with out help and guidance.

  Rick Birkhimer Posted July 28, 2008 7:11 AM
• 54842
  

  I am also hearing impaired person which was hired on under the the handicapped program in 1991 as a GS 5 Accountant Tech. Today I have only gained one grade to a GS 6 Accountant Tech. I take great pride in doing my job and I also have more education than the people that have been getting the better jobs. In my case an Accountant.

  I am not sure what to tell everybody execpt too keep trying. I do not beleive that I should have an Accountant job just because I have a disability. I just want a chance.

  Charles Palm Posted July 23, 2008 5:28 PM
• 54828
  

  "The EEOC found in 2006 that the number of disabled federal employees fell from 1.18 percent in 1996 to 0.94 percent 19 years later."

  19 years after 1996 is 2015...

  Denise Posted July 23, 2008 1:37 PM
• 54814
  

  I think as a disbled employee (hearing impaired) - it is all too obvious the barriers and discrimination we deal with on a daily basis. I have just about thirty years of federal service. When I worked for the Air Force, I was expected to perform and was treated pretty much same as my coworkers. When I had to transfer to DFAS due to BRAC, I am treated as just that, disabled and incapable...despite many successful projects, my education exceeding those I work with, and my capabilities as an independent person. I hope that people will see past the disabilities and realize that there are people like myself in professional positions that are capable of back filling jobs or being utilized like others...I also know many disabled people have left federal service for more meaningful employment and some have even started their own businesses and are sucessful..There is nothing like going to work each day and sitting around being by passed for less educated/capable people simply because they are easier to communicate with. It is true too, in my organization you will not find disabled people in senior management.

  pjj Posted July 23, 2008 11:58 AM
• 54810
  

  While the number of folks taking advantage of handicapped (or the PC, mobility challenged) programs has increase, to the point many of us look critically at the obese using the handicapped parking place, I still know of others who would qualify but don't recognize themselves as such. Some folks just are not raised to think of themselves in that light regardless of their challenges; to the extent that they vehemently deny any disability. While I find that commendable on one hand, the problem is that potential employers think differently. Fear of injuries, law suits, excessive time off, and the inconvenience of making reasonable concessions often make employers think twice during and after interviews; even if the interviewee qualifies in every other aspect and the interviewer doesn't let those thoughts stop them.

  I think most of us think those thoughts out of the consideration for others our parents trained in us. Consideration is a good thing between anybody; limiting someone because of perceived, rather than real, limitations is not.

  I must also note that while many do not object to handicapped equal opportunity programs, many people cry foul over minority EO programs. While I will not debate the current applicability of those programs, I'll just say that similar prejudices to those noted above have had unjustified impact on specific groups' advancement.

  Perhaps, one day, we will see all folks just as folks; with some modicum of common courtesy and consideration.

  Tip off Posted July 23, 2008 11:16 AM
• 54801
  

  Disabled workers are all too often at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to finding suitable employment. There simply is a lot of ignorance among those involved in the hiring process. Managers and their support staff simply are not educated in how to deal with prospective disabled employees. What are the do's and don'ts when dealing with someone who is deaf, blind, or disabled in some other way? I didn't know myself when I first became the manager of a disabled employee. I quickly educated myself, with the help of my new disabled employee, and in turn, I found myself having to educate my own agency's human resouce staff. Anyone who thinks disabled employees compete on the same footing as anyone else is simply living in "la la" land. Ask my wife, who is deaf, why she was never hired by one defense agency although she was deemed qualified for every position she applied for in 19 different job openings. She didn't even get an invitation for a job interview until she brought this odd coincidence to management's attention. How many times did her phone calls to prospective employees never even get the courtesy of a call back using the TDD number she left? The preconceived bias fostered by ignorance in dealing with disabled staff is a hard thing to combat, so yes, the federal government -- and all employers -- need to look at the way they deal with disabled job applicants and their own disabled staff.

  Retired DoD Audit Manager Posted July 23, 2008 10:18 AM
• 54794
  

  We recognize mental illness as a disability under ADA, but we do no testing for undiagnosed mental illness. Based on the number of pedophiles and addicts being outed by the media, elected officials and political appointees should be evaluated by an independent pool of therapists. The results should be made public for elected office and high level appointees. We the voters are, in effect, the managers hiring these "employees" so we should have advance notice of their disabilities. We don't want to hire a blind person to inspect machinery and we don't want pedophiles in the Department of Education.

  Anthony Weishar Posted July 23, 2008 9:01 AM
• 54786
  

  I was discouraged when reading this article. Reports like the above are disguisting and what is wrong with the federal government. Many expect the federal government to be the employer of last resort for anyone and everyone. I don't want to sound cruel, but people with disabilities, and I am one, can apply for the same jobs that everyone else does, but they have to be qualified and search aggressively for employment as any job seeker. Political and special interests groups is what has stiffled government service in recent years. The federal government is not missing an opportunity by not reaching out more aggressively to people with disabilities to replace retiring employees. They can and should apply like everyone else with no special preferences.

  frank Posted July 23, 2008 7:34 AM
• 54769
  

  There should be a tremendous effort from all Americans to hire the young soliders coming back from the middle east. I repeatedly hear how we need to take action to include the disabled, however people seem reluctant to make the first move.I hope that Governor Schwarzenegger continues his support through legislation and the budget. President Bush is doing absolutely pitiful job. When I talk to Vets they are dealing with so much in terms of getting services which are basic medical and economic assistance. Meanwhile we talk in DC about bailing out the banks who made bad investments. Something is very wrong and disturbing about this administration.

  Don Norte Posted July 22, 2008 6:39 PM