[Nfbf-l] Job Discrimination

[Bill Dennis]

I haven't posted to this list in well over a year but lately, I've had 
something that really bugs me and I'm just upset enough to spill my guts 
about it.

I am a legally blind computer programmer who happens to also be an amputee.

I have worked all of my life except for a few years when I was on dialysis 
before my kidney transplant.

I've been in the computer industry for almost 25 years.

The company I work for laid me off for 5 weeks and during that time, I 
sought another job.

I've been disabled since 1995 but physically disabled since 2004.  In all of 
this time, I've only had a few employers openly discriminate against me and 
most of those were out of ignorance but apparently, it is now legal in 
Florida for an employer to list "working conditions" in the job posting and 
eliminate people from even applying for the job based on these so-called 
working conditions.

One employer listed "must have eyesight" as a working condition.

Two other that I've seen in the past two weeks places a minimum lifting 
weight of 25 pounds.  Excuse me but computer programmers do not lift 
anything but our laptops when it is time to go home.  That is what I.T. 
people or laborers are for.  The lifting clause eliminates me due to eye 
hemmoraging and of course, the fact that I walk with a prostetic.  For a 
total, it would eliminate them because while you can probably do the 
lifting, how will you be guided to where the items you are lifting need to 
be moved?  I'm sure they won't hire a sighted guide for you and you cannot 
use a guide dog or a cane if both of your hands are full.

One other clause I've seen is "must have valid driver's license".  I used to 
be able to arrange my own travel at my expense but I now no longer have that 
option.

I've been told that all of these "requirements" are perfectly legal and that 
there is no one to validate these conditions to make sure that these are 
actual working condition but simply the employer's way to eliminate 
"uneanted" candidates.

I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Bill Dennis
Orlando