[blindlaw] Clerks as Drivers

[Keith Vick]

Hi Rob,

Congratulations on seeking judicial clerkships.  I am envious.  I've always
liked the judges who taught my classes.  Something tells me that most judges
wouldn't let the ability to drive affect their decision.  Since I have no
judicial clerkship experience, I am limited on the advice I can give you. 

But one thing I can do is put forth a proposition: discrimination the blind
(in hiring) is actually quite legal.  If this proposition turns out to be
true, it may have bearing on the ultimate answer to your question.

Being legally blind and unable to drive myself, I don't like the above
proposition - but unfortunately I believe it is a true, if incomplete,
statement.

Well, I wish you the very best and hope you get exactly the clerkship you
want.

Warmest regards,

Keith Vick


-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Robert Munro
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 6:43 AM
To: BlindLawStudents at googlegroups.com; 'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'
Subject: [blindlaw] Clerks as Drivers

Friends and colleagues,
 
I'd appreciate some help answering this question.  I'm a rising 3L at UNC.
This summer, I'm applying for judicial clerkships.  In May and June, I
worked for a judge as an intern.  His clerks did his driving when he had to
hold court in cities other than the one where he had his chambers.  Because
I am blind, I could not perform this duty for a judge.
 
Of course, laws prevent an employer from discriminating against a blind
person.  However, practical considerations might cause a judge to pass me
over in favor of a candidate who can drive.  I'd like to have something to
tell judges durring the interview to help prevent this.
 
Does any one know what programs the federal government, or the state
governments in Virginia and North Carolina, offer for providing blind
employees with drivers?  It would help if the cost of the program did not
have to come out of the judge's budget.
 
Thank you for your help.  I look forward to hearing your replies.
 
Onward!
 
Rob Munro
 
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