[rehab] Junior Blind Summer Jobs -- Blind Need not Apply?

Tue May 19 13:46:55 UTC 2009

Bryan,

The blanket requirement that all applicants possess a valid driver's license
excludes blind people as a class from applying for the jobs in question,
since no blind person can qualify for a driver's license. The only
justification is if one of an employee's essential job functions is to
operate company vehicles to transport clients or drive something like a
delivery truck on a regular basis. Otherwise, a person can use alternative
transportation methods. You can tell whether driving is an essential job
function by looking at the listing of essential job functions in the
position description.    

Working with my students to help them find jobs, I see lots of job
descriptions that have that requirement. Periodically I write to employers
telling them it is discriminatory and suggesting alternate wording.  
I think employers add it to job descriptions to cover themselves in case the
employee needs to use a company vehicle, and in most instances they do not
know it is discriminatory. But the Foundation for the Junior Blind cannot
claim innocence: they either know or ought to know that it is. 

I think somebody like yourself ought to write them a friendly letter to
inform them that the requirement is discriminatory and suggest alternate
wording like "must be able to provide own transportation" or "must be able
to travel to homes of clients".  If they don't respond, I think somebody in
California ought to file a state civil rights complaint against them and get
the requirement struck down. There is no excuse for an agency for the blind
to have such a discriminatory requirement in its job descriptions.  

Dick Davis 

-----Original Message-----
From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Bryan Bashin (by way of David Andrews<dandrews at visi.com>)
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 12:58 AM
To: jobs at nfbnet.org; rehab at nfbnet.org
Subject: [rehab] Junior Blind Summer Jobs -- Blind Need not Apply?

Our friends at the Junior Blind of America have posted a series of 
great jobs in their Los Angeles program.  Only problem is that they 
continue to insist upon a Drivers License for these positions, 
effectively shutting out blind people from making a 
contribution.  Small wonder, then, that JBA continues to be seen as 
an organization out of touch with what blind people think, need and do.

If any of the following jobs are ones with which you have ability, I 
might suggest applying anyway and having a serious conversation about 
the blanket need for a drivers license.  The Junior Blind needs to 
hear from blind people.  The job post appears below..

Bryan

Job Type
Full Time
Employee
Seasonal
Relevant Work Experience
Less than 1 Year
Fun Summer Program Jobs!
About the Job
Jump Start Your Career!
Would you like to be part of a fun and exciting program?
Looking for a summer job that's completely different?
Junior Blind of America is currently seeking staff in a variety of 
positions for
its Student Transition and Enrichment Program (STEP).
STEP is a summer program for young adults who are 16-22 years old, 
who are blind
or visually impaired and seeking career-awareness, independent living 
skills and
developing social skills. The program offers its students career 
exploration, internship-work
experience, independent living skills, and much more.
The program is based at Junior Blind's Los Angeles campus, but STEP 
frequently leaves
campus for off-campus activities such as spending a few hours at 
Amoeba Records in
Hollywood to a whole day at Knott's Berry Farm.
This is an 8 week summer position that begins June 15, 2009 and ends 
August 14, 2009.
Specific job requirements vary, but all staff must be responsible, 
caring, flexible,
resourceful, patient and have excellent interpersonal skills.
Experience working with young adults, special needs and/or the 
visually impaired
is a plus.
All candidates must be 21 years old, have a valid California Driver 
License and must
be eligible to drive agency vehicles
.   This is an excellent work opportunity for
a student looking for a summer job and/or
anyone considering the fields of education, special education, vision 
impairment,
orientation and mobility, psychology, ophthalmology, social work, or 
for anyone who
cares about others!
This is also a great job for a person looking for a new and exciting 
summer experience.
This is not your typical summer job!
The following STEP positions are:
Job Coach
As a job coach your focus will be to lead and train students in 
established work
sites in the community while assisting in the planning and 
implementation of strategies
for developing student's independent work skills.
Residential Counselor
As a Residential Counselor, duties will include guiding and assisting 
students in
a household atmosphere and maintaining a safe environment.
Assisting students in planning and participating in events such as 
trips to the mall,
the beach, Magic Mountain, internships-work experience, and much more.
Nocturnal Residential Counselor
As a Nocturnal Residential Counselor, duties will include guiding and 
assisting students
in a household atmosphere and maintaining a safe environment.
You will be required to remain alert and awake during the shift.
This is a perfect job if you want to catch up on your homework or if 
you are a night
owl.
Orientation and Mobility Specialist
As an O& M instructor you will assess each student upon arrival to 
the program, setting
goals with each student and then implementing exercises to address those
goals.
Complete assessments and written reports for each student.
Student needs will range from simple use of cardinal directions and 
basic cane technique,
to off-campus training, such as visits to local markets, the 
surrounding residential
neighborhood, downtown Los Angeles, use of public transportation, or 
even trips to
amusement parks!
   A
A Master's degree in orientation and mobility from an accredited 
college or university
preferred, or bachelor's degree in orientation and mobility from an 
accredited college
or university and certification, permanent or provisional, by the 
Academy for Certification
of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) as an 
orientation and
mobility specialist.
Assistive Technology Instructor
The primary purpose of your position is to instruct the students in 
the use of Braille
for personal communication, preparation for vocational use and 
identification needs.
             A degree in rehabilitation teaching with a visually 
handicapped specialty
and experience in
             the use of Braille and Braille instruments.
Knowledge of and ability to instruct in Grades 1,
             2 and 3 Braille, notation Braille, the Braille writer, 
the slate and
stylus.
Lead Teacher of the Visually Impaired
The primary purpose of the position is to over see day-to-day 
operations of the program
and the curriculum.
Develop and implement curriculum and assign and track individualized 
student work.
Provide direct instruction in classroom settings.
   Provide clear and motivating leadership and instruction.
Create and maintain an atmosphere of support and of self worth.
A Master's degree or equivalent with an emphasis on services to the 
visually impaired
and experience in an agency or agencies serving the disabled or the 
blind or visually
impaired.
Interested candidates should submit their resume and letter of interest to
(Please specify which position you are interested in):
Junior Blind of America
Human Resources Department
5300 Angeles Vista Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90043
Fax: (323) 296-0424
E-mail:
hrdept at juniorblind.org
Visit us at:
www.juniorblind.org
  and Share Our Vision!

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