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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> NFBNet-Members-List <nfbnet-members-list-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Pare, John via NFBNet-Members-List<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 03, 2023 1:22 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfbnet-members-list] Alert: USA Hire Assessment<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Federation Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are gathering feedback on the Federal government’s use of an assessment tool called USA Hire. This tool consists of a series of timed assessments that are administered as part of the Federal government’s employment application process in an attempt to measure reasoning and analytical skills. It is similar to the civil service exam that was used but discontinued due to discrimination in 1981. USA Hire assessments are applied to some but not all job applications posted on USAJobs. The purpose of the assessments are to evaluate an applicant’s “general competencies and soft skills.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are seeking information from those who have experienced challenges with USA Hire in the following areas:<o:p></o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>accessibility of the platform using assistive technology; <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>insufficient amount of time for the timed assessments;<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>difficulty with logic games and vision-centered questions;<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>difficulty requesting and receiving reasonable accommodations;<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>requirement to produce medical documentation for a reasonable accommodation within OPM prescribed deadline (three calendar days);<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>Requirement to produce medical documentation from only OPM approved sources (ophthalmologist, etc.); and <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>Other areas of difficulty.<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you experienced any of the challenges referenced, please contact our Advocacy and Legal group at <a href="mailto:Legal@nfb.org">Legal@nfb.org</a> or by calling 410-659-9314, ext. 2440.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>John <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>John G. Paré Jr. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(410) 659-9314, extension 2218 | <a href="mailto:Jpare@nfb.org">Jpare@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=210 height=76 style='width:2.1875in;height:.7916in' id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" alt=Facebook></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" alt=Twitter></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" alt=Youtube></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>