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

Wed Nov 4 15:26:56 UTC 2020

They should be under obligation to make an office position available.  

That is another accommodation.

Justin

-----Original Message-----
From: HumanSer [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ericka Nelson via HumanSer
Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 10:24 AM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ericka Nelson <erickanelson88 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [HumanSer] Questions about Driver's License as a Minimum Requirement for Employment

I am sorry but not surprised. There are so many ways to even leave the opportunity for a HIPPA violation that they are terrified of lawsuits/government fines . In a nursing facility you can be fired for accidentally taking a work cell phone or schedule with patient first names on it. Seen it happen.

Ericka J. Nelson
"

> On Nov 4, 2020, at 9:05 AM, Sarah Meyer via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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.
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> HumanSer mailing list
>>> HumanSer at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> HumanSer:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/43210%40bellso
>>> uth.net
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> HumanSer mailing list
>>> HumanSer at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info 
>>> for
>>> HumanSer:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/dotwriter1%40g
>>> mail.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> HumanSer mailing list
>> HumanSer at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> HumanSer:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/sarah.meyer55%4
>> 0gmail.com
>> 
> 
> 
> --
> 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.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> HumanSer mailing list
> HumanSer at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for HumanSer:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/erickanelson88%4
> 0gmail.com
_______________________________________________
HumanSer mailing list
HumanSer at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for HumanSer:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gmail.com