[HumanSer] Questions about Driver's License as a Minimum Requirement for Employment

Wed Nov 4 00:20:07 UTC 2020

Hope good comes of this Sarah.

Ericka Nelson

> On Nov 2, 2020, at 1:47 PM, Sarah Meyer via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Thanks for the feedback, everyone.
> The interview was over Zoom, but I disclosed my blindness to explain
> why I wouldn't be making eye contact and because if we had been
> meeting in person, my cane would have explained that to them without
> my needing to verbally disclose.
> I spoke with my VR counselor, and she said they could potentially help
> me find a driver or with that hiring process, but they wouldn't pay a
> driver for me. Is that what you folks meant with working with services
> for the blind? Are they supposed to pay a driver or is that the blind
> person's responsibility?
> I appreciate the thoughts and suggestions, especially about sending
> kids home in taxis, activity buses, etc. I think having a hired driver
> could be an option too.
> The HR person responded and said she could look to see if they have
> any more office-based positions and she would also be open to
> discussing accommodations.
> 
> Sarah
> 
>> On 11/2/20, Doug Lee via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Curiosity: You said,
>>> Job applicants who feel they must prove that they are able by bringing in
>>> tech equipment or disclosing prior to the interview, tend to do more
>>> poorly
>>> in obtaining employment.
>> 
>> I wonder where one might find statistics on that question. It is discussed
>> often, and the results may well vary depending on many other factors,
>> including the specific type of occupation being sought.
>> 
>> I would assume that an overbearing attitude would reduce the probability of
>> success, and I suspect that advanced disclosure of blindness would do so in
>> some occupations more than others. I doubt that simply bringing assistive
>> technology or even using it appropriately would reduce one's chances.
>> 
>> On Mon, Nov 02, 2020 at 11:23:02AM -0500, JD Townsend via HumanSer wrote:
>> Hello Sarah,
>> 
>> Sad that employers continue to use the driver license "requirement" to
>> eliminate blind applicants.
>> 
>> I have answered the question by saying that I arrived at the appointment
>> independently and would be able to meet any travel requirements.
>> 
>> When the item comes up in an application form I have left the answer
>> unanswered as driving was not a part of the job description.
>> 
>> I never "disclosed" that I am blind, however my dog guide or white cane
>> usually informs the interviewer.  Most often they don't know what to do
>> with
>> a blind applicant, but that is their problem.  As long as you have the
>> self-confidence and ability to present yourself as able, you will do well.
>> 
>> Job applicants who feel they must prove that they are able by bringing in
>> tech equipment or disclosing prior to the interview, tend to do more poorly
>> in obtaining employment.  The employer wants an employee who can be
>> consistently on time and do a satisfactory job while being a part of a
>> team.
>> 
>> 
>> Congratulations on your graduation and best of luck on your job search.
>> 
>> 
>> JD Townsend, LCSW
>> Helping the light dependent to see
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah Meyer via
>> HumanSer
>> Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2020 12:49 PM
>> To: humanser at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Sarah Meyer <sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [HumanSer] Questions about Driver's License as a Minimum
>> Requirement for Employment
>> 
>> Greetings all,
>> I hope you are all well and staying healthy. I am writing because I am
>> beginning my job search since I am graduating with my Master's in Clinical
>> Mental Health Counseling this December and have come across my first
>> barrier
>> through my first interview.
>> 
>> I interviewed for a position as a school-based therapist through a
>> community
>> mental health agency the other day. The interview went well but I received
>> an email a few hours later from the person in HR with whom I have been in
>> contact stating that while the supervisor said the interview was positive
>> and productive, I disclosed that I am blind, and she wanted to clarify if I
>> would still be able to drive and transport clients and if I had a driver's
>> license and auto insurance.
>> She said these were minimum requirements for the job. I should note that I
>> never filled out an application for this position; the career coach from
>> the
>> Ball State University Career Center with whom I have been working connected
>> me with this person from HR at a community mental health agency so I
>> reached
>> out with my CV and was soon contacted thereafter with an offer of an
>> interview. I responded to the email inquiring about my ability to transport
>> clients and verified that I am blind and do not drive but asked if
>> transporting clients was an essential function of the job. My understanding
>> is that most of the year, I would be meeting with students and families in
>> an office at the high school or virtually, except in the summer and other
>> breaks when they transition to a community-based approach. Therapists will
>> pick up students and bring them to the school, meet with them in the
>> community, or go to their homes. Additionally, if students meet with the
>> therapist after the schoolday ends, therapists will drive them home. The
>> supervisor said that when she was in this position, they sometimes made
>> arrangements with parents for transportation, but this was not always
>> reliable and she preferred to drive students herself as this allowed her to
>> maintain the most control over her schedule.
>> 
>> I am wondering if anyone on this list has done school-based therapy or
>> community-based therapy that typically involves transporting clients as a
>> part of the job, and if so, how you navigated this situation. I am curious
>> if folks still apply for jobs where a driver's license is required. I am
>> also curious if people have suggestions on how to proceed with this
>> potential employer. I thought about the possible option of hiring a driver,
>> but would this be acceptable to an employer if they are concerned about
>> confidentiality and other liability concerns?
>> 
>> I look forward to hearing back from you at your earliest convenience.
>> 
>> Best wishes,
>> 
>> Sarah
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Doug Lee                 dgl at dlee.org                http://www.dlee.org
>> Level Access             doug.lee at LevelAccess.com
>> http://www.LevelAccess.com
>> "It's not easy to be crafty and winsome at the same time, and few
>> accomplish
>> it after the age of six." --John W. Gardner and Francesca Gardner Reese
>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Sarah K. Meyer
> Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
> Ball State University
> Pronouns: she/her/hers. See
> www.mypronouns.org
> sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com
> (317)402-6632
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. You can live the life
> you want; blindness is not what holds you back. Together with love,
> hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.
> 
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