[Blind-rollers] dealing with job interviews

Thu Aug 20 14:42:30 UTC 2009

Generally I have had little trouble with churches.  For example my guide dog
and I have been in literally dozens of churches.  I have seen ramps making
churches accessible all over the country.  I have seen large print bulletins
in many churches.  I have asked that web sites be accessible and they were
made accessible. 

So churches to this little lady's experiences have been more accommodating
then the many restaurants I have been asked to leave, or stores. I asked the
Pastor of one church as I was babysitting my retired guide dog if I could
bring him with me to church on the phone.  He said that was fine.  

Christian people are a cut above the "we have to" ADA folks.  It is all in
the approach a bit of education as, "how would we know without a teacher."
I forget what verse of the Bible that quote is in, but it sure rings true
for churches, smile. 

And yes because of tradition, Greek Orthodox, for example, it is not across
the board true.  That is why you ask ahead of time if the church has people
with disabilities in the congregation, which generally leads to them proudly
saying what accommodations they do have.  One gal in my former country
church wanted to bring her dad to hear a special speaker.  The church men
built a nice twenty foot ramp for him.  It was even pretty close to ADA
specs. But that is the change one person can make.  It is all in the
approach.

Asking with Christian wisdom and love, is far more affective then the hammer
of the ADA and being locked out of a lift by a hotel like I just was a few
weekends ago. The hotel's legal eagles missed that the door was locked, lol.
Don't worry my lawyer is on the case, lol.

Some churches can't be made accessible, and we all know that. We have two
churches I know of who have made themselves accessible out of kindness here
in tiny Shelton WA" Shelton United Methodist and the Assembly of God, my
church. From my former city Erie PA I can only think of two churches that
are not accessible.  All of the Catholic churches are.  Now I am not talking
fully accessible.  I am talking reasonably easily doable. Though Shelton
Methodist has a lift to the stage.  Just there computers are not accessible.
The kitchen is even doable.    

So out of kindness many churches have some accommodations. 

Becky and my joy wheels     

-----Original Message-----
From: blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jackie McBride
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 9:00 PM
To: Blind wheelchair users list
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] dealing with job interviews

Please understand that churches are exempt from ADA, unless they're
holding some kind of public event unrelated to their worship services,
e.g., a federally funded job training program, etc. But most churches
are exempt.

On 8/19/09, Becky Frankeberger <b.butterfly at comcast.net> wrote:
> Simply tell them one of your strong interests is ministering to people
with
> disabilities.  Afterall you are interviewing them also to see if the fit
for
> ministry is right.  If they are open and welcoming with discriptions of
> accessibilities, you will be welcomed and accepted fully.
>
> I would disclose if they are open minded and accessible.  You could call a
> center for independent living and ask them to take a look for a client of
> theres looking for a good church.  You also may want to talk to the
transit
> company and get your records over as disabled so you wont have to wait for
> certification, if indeed they have a lengthy process.  The CIL will know
the
> numbers you need for attendant care, again if you need that, housing.
Kind
> of a one stop shop CILs are.
>
> Or ask your VR counselor for a referral to the new State and there VR
> services.  Some blind do not like dealing with CILs.  I just give them as
an
> alternative choice to the blindness VR services.  Or you could engage both
> for different reasons.
>
> Anyway, if they are not open to persons with disabilities, then we have to
> pray that God shakes there hearts.  Or God opens up an even better door.
> God is faithful.  We need to trust Him fully.
>
> Ministry is vital.  God truly is the answer for this world today.
>
> Becky and my joy wheels
> b.butterfly at comcast.net
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of AgapeDEW at aol.com
> Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 7:35 PM
> To: blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Blind-rollers] dealing with job interviews
>
> I have a dilemma here as regards to applying for jobs.  I submitted my
> resume for a ministry position and sent my portfolio of letter references,
> professional certifications etc.  All the letter references were of people
> that knew me in the position before I got MS and lost my vision/using
> wheelchair.
> The church is not local so I can't have someone cruise by and see if its
> handicapped accessible.  (Don't all say well its a law they have to
> be...because my church is not 4/5 not accessible to me but I enjoy the
> people  and
> for now I am there as a member only.)  So, the next step will be a
> conference call from the committee.  Do I tell them I am in a wheelchair
> and have
> the vision loss then?  I can still do the job description as long  as the
> building is accessible.  I will have to adapt to the job using my
computer
> with
> Jaws.  Ok...just say I get past the second step to the  interview in which
> I will have to fly there.  What if I get there and find  out the building
is
>
> NOT handicap accessible?  I do not want my challenges  to be such a prize
> they are not comfortable at the interview.  I thought  perhaps after the
> telephone conference....and I know I am feeling good about the  match
> too...mention to the pastor so he can prepare his committee?  Or  should I
> wait and
> challenge them about building accessibility and if I am truly  the person
> for
> the ministry position, they will remove those obstacles for me  and others
> with physical challenges?  Thanks for your input....I really  want to get
> back into ministry but have not worked since this all happened and  am a
bit
>
> insecure....Please help!
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-- 
Change the world--1 deed at a time
Jackie McBride
Check out my homepage at:
www.abletec.serverheaven.net
& please join my fight against breast cancer
<http://teamacs.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=1790196&pg=personal&fr_id=3489>

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