[nfbwatlk] a Job that requires a valid driver's license and automobile liability insurance coverage to be qualified?

Sat May 14 04:17:40 UTC 2011

Humberto:

You are probably correct in stating that the application as written violates
Title I of the americans with Disabilities Act. A driver's license (and,
presumably, automobile liability insurance) can only be required if use of
an automobile is deemed an essential function of the job. So on the face of
it, the requirement discriminates against the blind and should be changed to
comply with the law.

Having said this, however, I suspect there's a bit more to this than meets
the eye. Reading between the lines, it wouldn't surprise me if the job
requires traveling to several branches of the clinic to oversea installation
and maintenance of the network. Moreover, given the automobile liability
insurance requirement, I suspect the Clinic is trying to fund this position
on a shoestring budget and is counting upon the successful applicant to use
his/her own car for travel between clinic facilities and the clinic is too
cheap to pay for insurance. This last might be unfair in that quite a few
jobs that truly require driving also require that the driver have his/her
own liability insurance.

This is not to say that you are wrong; it is merely to attempt to understand
the thinking of those drawing up the job requirements. As you indicate, you
should be expected to be responsible for your own transportation and unless
driving truly is essential to the job (and I doubt that this is the case for
a network technician), it's none of theClinic's business how you get to/from
work and between Clinic facilities if there's more than one.

When I owned an automobile in my first marriage, I was able to obtain
liability insurance although the company *did* want to know that my drivers
had insurance.

You should know also that the facilities in the Yakima area might be spread
out quite a bit so you'll have to depend upon drivers to get you from one to
another. That's how blind itinerant teachers in the state do their thing.

So you're right but there may be reasons (if not truly valid ones) why the
job spec was drawn up as it was.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Humberto Avila
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2011 8:43 PM
To: nfbWATlk at nfbNet.org
Subject: [nfbwatlk] a Job that requires a valid driver's license and
automobile liability insurance coverage to be qualified?

Hello Folks,

as I explore the NFB newsline Job listings feature, I looked for jobs in my
area just for curiosity. Yet something that sparks my interest as I read job
listings, I come across this: An information technology job at a Clinic
requiring *Valid driver's license * and *Valid automobile liability
insurance coverage * for applicants to be qualified.
what if a blind person would like to be hired for this position? How can a
blind person obtain an automobile insurance if it seems so obvious that the
blind person applying to this job can not drive a car? Yes, a blind person
can obtain a state-issued ID that can replace a driver's license to some
employers or companies; I've heard that a state-issued identification (like
a photo ID) is the equivalent of showing a driver's license, or so I was
told by another person through another listserv I'm in regarding to jobs.
what really sets me off is the fact that they are requiring a proof of
automobile liability insurance coverage (see below). If I, as a blind
individual, wanted to apply for this job. do I just hire a driver that has
an automobile liability insurance coverage to drive me from and to the job?
No, because I'm not sure the employer would accept that, and, if he does so,
what if that driver is legitimately sick that day and cannot take me to
work? do I sit down and chew my nails hoping that somebody with automobile
liability insurance coverage will show up and drive me? No! No! Heck no! I,
like everybody else, should be independent and independently travel to my
work place and be able to show the sighted society that we can fulfill tasks
that everyone else can, just slightly differently but normally. for
instance, I can use the public transportation to go to and from, and yes, I
might get up a little bit earlier than the rest to catch the bus on time.
but yet I can still do the same things like everyone else.
One other thing: maybe this employer doesn't know blind people can fulfill
this job. Maybe he doesn't know that we can give back to our society like
everyone else. I think people are still going by the misconception that
blind people are just second class citizens, and that might be true. Perhaps
if this employer knew the things we can accomplish, how we can be competent
in society by using blindness skills, travel skills, technology skills, and
being open to do things like everyone else, and simply that we are not left
behind.
I hereby express my frustration and would like to share. I think this
particular case is a sign of DISCRIMINATION against the blind.
Below is the job listing, pulled up from NFB newsline (Pressing Pound then
9) for you to refer to in case you want it. hopefully I'm not breaking NFB
newsline's copyright regulations... [smile] Cheers,  Humberto

  _____  

Subject: Job Title: Network Analyst in US-WA-Toppenish for Humberto Avila

Job Title: Network Analyst

Company: The Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic

Job DescriptionResponsible for the management of the corporate network (WAN,
LAN, WLAN, etc.) environment, by assisting with the design, build, and
implementation of all network systems across the corporation. This includes
planning, developing, installing, configuring, maintaining, supporting, and
optimizing all network equipment (hardware and software) and communication
links. Ensures regular system maintenance and integration of new
technologies and upgrades, and assists in project planning. Troubleshoots
network and server performance issues, as well as analyze network traffic
and provide capacity planning recommendations. Maintains technical
documentation for all network systems.QualificationsEducation: Bachelor of
Science Degree in Computer Science or related field or any combination of
experience and training which provides knowledge, skills, and abilities
sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the
job.Licenses/Certificates/Registration: Current Washington/Oregon State
driver's license and proof of automobile liability insurance
coverage.Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required: Knowledge of: hardware and
software troubleshooting techniques, logical network design and operations,
capacity planning for networks and network servers, performance monitoring
for network servers and security, windows server operations, and Router,
Gateway, and Switch technology. Experience with Exchange Server, Antivirus
and Backup systems is preferred. Skills in: providing training, documenting
processes, procedures, and login design, establishing and maintaining
effective working relationships with staff at all corporate levels,
communication both oral and written sufficient to exchange or convey
information, give instructions and receive directions, and analyze and
resolve system problems. Ability to: prioritize tasks, assess problems and
develop effective solutions without close supervision, and use good
listening skills.Relocation assistance available.About Us Apply Now To
<http://www.accesscb.net/apply.php?DID=J3G2ZY5YCRP36W89G2K>
This Job

Job RequirementsThe Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic (YVFWC) is the largest
community health center in the Pacific Northwest. We are dedicated to
providing our patients with the highest quality care and offering them
affordable health care options. YVFWC provides comprehensive medical, dental
and social services in 15 Pacific Northwest communities. Our medical and
dental services are complemented by behavioral health services, nutrition
services, drug and alcohol treatment, an HIV/AIDS clinic, community health
services, the Northwest Community Action Center (which provides employment,
training, mentoring and other case management and referral services), and a
mobile medical and dental unit.Our mission celebrates diversity. We are
committed to equal opportunity employment. General Information 
Location:	 US-WA-Toppenish	
Job Type:	 Information Technology	
Base Pay:	 N/A	
Req'd Education:	 High School	
Employee Type:	 Full-Time	
Req'd Experience:	 At least 4 year(s)	
Req'd Travel:	 Not Specified	
Manages Others:	 False	
Relocation Covered:	 False	
Contact Information 
Contact:	 	
Phone:	 	
Fax:	 	
Ref ID:	 	
Apply Now To  <http://www.accesscb.net/apply.php?DID=J3G2ZY5YCRP36W89G2K>
This Job

The information provided in this job listing, provided to subscribers by the
National Federation of the Blind's NFB-NEWSLINER service, is wholly derived
from the listing offered at www.careerbuilder.com. The content represents
the entirety of the job listing and was not altered in any manner except to
format it for readability. Neither the National Federation of the Blind nor
NFB-NEWSLINER takes any responsibility or liability for the accuracy of the
content of this listing. 

If you have any questions, please call (866) 504-7300. 

Thank you, 

The NFB-NEWSLINER Team
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