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

Mon Nov 16 20:10:16 UTC 2020

Thanks, everyone.

I appreciate the feedback and suggestions. I spoke with Valerie
Yingling and got some suggestions. I hear what folks are saying about
fighting it and filing a complaint. I am considering it. Thankfully I
am getting other interviews that are more appealing anyway. :)

Carly, I hear what you're saying about paratransit, but paratransit in
Indianapolis sucks and can take 1.5-2 hours to get anywhere in the
city, so that would destroy my ability to maintain productivity
expectations/requirements.

Michael, I can ask for a copy of the posted job requirements. I never
actually saw them or applied officially, as my career coach from Ball
State connected me directly with a contact in HR. I sent my CV
directly and was forwarded on to a supervisor who reached out and
offered an interview.

Sarah

On 11/13/20, Carly Mihalakis via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Good morning, Sarah,
>
> Just hire Paratransit for as long as you need them while doing home
> visits. You might Make individual trips  if need be. This is
> precisely why services like Paratransit exist.There's a lot of
> ParaTransit haters and misbelievers out there so to counteract all
> that hate, us believers oughta utilize the service to garauntee  its
> sustenance. It can maximize independence to come and go as you please
> as well as safely transporting your own cases to and fro while not
> having to be saddled with your reasonable accommodation
> inappropriately blurring confidentiality boundaries.
> Car
>    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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>>
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>
>
>
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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.