[NFBF-Melbourne] FW: [Nfbnet-members-list] US Navy Settles Discrimination Claim by Blind Employee

[ctate2076 at att.net]

For your information. 

Camille 

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBNet-Members-List <nfbnet-members-list-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf
Of Danielsen, Chris via NFBNet-Members-List
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2019 4:46 PM
To: Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen at nfb.org>
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] US Navy Settles Discrimination Claim by Blind
Employee


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
US Navy Settles Discrimination Claim by Blind Employee

Educational Assistant to Receive $100,000 Washington, DC (February 28,
2019): Mary Carla Flood had worked for the United States Department of the
Navy as an Educational Technician for only a day and a half when she was
summarily fired. She had done nothing wrong, but human resources officials
felt constrained by the results of her physical. That physical had revealed
that she was legally blind, a fact that was obvious to the personnel who
hired her on the spot at her job interview (Ms. Flood sometimes uses a white
cane to navigate, and reads with reading glasses or uses large print). But
the physician, based on the Navy's medical certification form requiring all
Educational Technicians to have "normal vision in both eyes," as well as to
have both hands and both legs, recommended Ms. Flood be terminated.

The Navy has now settled the discrimination suit that Ms. Flood brought
after her firing. A significant factor in the settlement negotiations was
the expert report of Carla McQuillan, a blind Montessori teacher and owner
of Montessori schools. "I have been in this field since 1980 and have
observed countless blind and visually impaired individuals work in childcare
and early education settings, not to mention my own direct experience. There
is absolutely no evidence that blind and visually impaired childcare workers
and early education specialists are any less competent or safe than those
who are not blind or visually impaired," said McQuillan.

Ms. Flood will receive $100,000, and the Navy has also agreed to enter into
discussions with the National Federation of the Blind, which assisted Ms.
Flood with her case, to develop nondiscriminatory employment practices with
respect to blind people.

"By far the greatest barriers to the employment of blind people are low
expectations and misconceptions about our abilities," said Mark Riccobono,
President of the National Federation of the Blind. "In spite of its legal
obligation to implement affirmative action to hire employees with
disabilities, the United States Navy is clearly trying to avoid hiring
qualified individuals with disabilities. The National Federation of the
Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines blind
people, and we seek to convey this truth to all employers. We look forward
to working with the Navy to ensure that its current and future blind
employees do not experience discriminatory treatment."

"When I was hired by the Navy on the spot, I was thrilled and excited to
have a full-time job working with children. But when the Navy then fired me
just as quickly because they just assumed blind and visually impaired people
could not work with children, it was absolutely devastating.  I am relieved
that this case has settled and my rights have been vindicated," said Mary
Carla Flood.

Flood has been represented by Scott LaBarre of LaBarre Law Offices P.C. and
Eve Hill of Brown Goldstein and Levy LLP.

###

About the National Federation of the Blind The National Federation of the
Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest
nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB
consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states,
Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people
of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind
children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the
hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into
reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at
www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org>.

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>

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