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

Wed Nov 4 14:59:27 UTC 2020

Well, after proposing the various accommodations and options
discussed, here is the response I received this morning:

"Great to hear back, thank you for your ideas. Due to HIPPA, client
confidentiality and compliance needs, another individual could not
drive you and clients to different locations. Drivers would have to go
through all of the required background checks like FBI, CPS, local,
sex offender, etc., in order to be around our clients and this would
not be a feasible solution due to the different drivers you could get
on each occasion.

Utilizing taxis to take clients home is also not a workable solution
as we would run into client safety issues as well as the issue
mentioned above. Transporting clients is a minimum requirement of this
role and we do not have any workarounds for this that meet HIPPA,
client confidentiality, compliance and safety needs.

Unfortunately due to the need to be able to drive and transport
clients being a minimum requirement and essential function of our
School Based Therapist roles, we do not see you as being eligible for
this role at this time.

I am happy to recommend you for office-based roles and will check with
my team to see what other openings we may have at this time. I will
also reach out to Stephanie and let her know that unfortunately you do
not meet the minimum requirements of her role at this time."

I responded and asked if they would consider me if I had a consistent
driver who could pass all of the background checks. In all honesty, I
do understand where they are coming from in terms of HIPAA,
confidentiality concerns, etc., and I do think an office-based
position would be more feasible/practical. It is still disappointing
to be ineligible for something I have no control over when I'm
qualified in every other way. It sucks, but I also get it.

Sarah

On 11/3/20, Ericka via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> JD, i am confused about your comment about showing hoe tech works during an
> interview.  Most jobs require computer skills. Most employers are concerned
> about whether they beed to hire someone to do the reading and computer
> skills for the job. Most don’t even know about VoiceOver pn an iPhone.
> There are so few jovs that don’t have computer use as an essential skills of
> jobs. There isn’t one job in a nursing home that doesn’t have tech as part
> of their job duties. I learned that this year.
>
> Not having tech skills has always bitten me in the butt.
>
> Ericka Nelson
>
>> On Nov 2, 2020, at 10:24 AM, JD Townsend via HumanSer
>> <humanser at nfbnet.org> 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
>>
>> --
>> 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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-- 
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.