[HumanSer] [External] Re: Questions about Driver's License as a Minimum Requirement for Employment

Mon Nov 2 20:25:50 UTC 2020

Yes, you can do that.  That can be an accommodation.

It is going to be a little more difficult if the agency is not set to do
that, but you have the right to request that.  

Also, You can be the one who meets everyone at the office, and have the
agency be responsible for the transportation of the stndeuts.  

It is the agencies responsibility to get them back and forth technically,
not  you.  an accommodation can be you stay in the office and meet your
students that, and have the agency find a way to transport them.

If you need a driver, the way shannon mentioned, and or the use of IRWES, or
Blind work expenses can be a way to pay the driver.

You can also pay uber and lyft via your credit card and get reimbursed by
the agency.  I'm not a real big fan of that, but it is a method  I've seen
used effectively, and I'd do it if it was the way to get employed.

Justin

-----Original Message-----
From: HumanSer [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cook,
Shannon via HumanSer
Sent: Monday, November 2, 2020 3:01 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cook, Shannon <Shannon.Cook at sccb.sc.gov>
Subject: Re: [HumanSer] [External] Re: Questions about Driver's License as a
Minimum Requirement for Employment

Also, depending on the size of the agency, you could ask for a driver as a
reasonable accommodation under the ADA, but others on this group know much
more on the ins and outs of this topic, so I defer to them.

Shannon Cook, MSW, CPM

-----Original Message-----
From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah Meyer via
HumanSer
Sent: Monday, November 2, 2020 2:46 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>; Doug Lee
<dgl at dlee.org>
Cc: Sarah Meyer <sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com>
Subject: [External] Re: [HumanSer] Questions about Driver's License as a
Minimum Requirement for Employment

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.
The interview was over Zoom, but I disclosed my blindness to explain why I
wouldn't be making eye contact and because if we had been meeting in person,
my cane would have explained that to them without my needing to verbally
disclose.
I spoke with my VR counselor, and she said they could potentially help me
find a driver or with that hiring process, but they wouldn't pay a driver
for me. Is that what you folks meant with working with services for the
blind? Are they supposed to pay a driver or is that the blind person's
responsibility?
I appreciate the thoughts and suggestions, especially about sending kids
home in taxis, activity buses, etc. I think having a hired driver could be
an option too.
The HR person responded and said she could look to see if they have any more
office-based positions and she would also be open to discussing
accommodations.

Sarah

On 11/2/20, Doug Lee via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Curiosity: You said,
>> Job applicants who feel they must prove that they are able by 
>> bringing in tech equipment or disclosing prior to the interview, tend 
>> to do more poorly in obtaining employment.
>
> I wonder where one might find statistics on that question. It is 
> discussed often, and the results may well vary depending on many other 
> factors, including the specific type of occupation being sought.
>
> I would assume that an overbearing attitude would reduce the 
> probability of success, and I suspect that advanced disclosure of 
> blindness would do so in some occupations more than others. I doubt 
> that simply bringing assistive technology or even using it appropriately
would reduce one's chances.
>
> On Mon, Nov 02, 2020 at 11:23:02AM -0500, JD Townsend via HumanSer wrote:
> Hello Sarah,
>
> Sad that employers continue to use the driver license "requirement" to 
> eliminate blind applicants.
>
> I have answered the question by saying that I arrived at the 
> appointment independently and would be able to meet any travel
requirements.
>
> When the item comes up in an application form I have left the answer 
> unanswered as driving was not a part of the job description.
>
> I never "disclosed" that I am blind, however my dog guide or white 
> cane usually informs the interviewer.  Most often they don't know what 
> to do with a blind applicant, but that is their problem.  As long as 
> you have the self-confidence and ability to present yourself as able, 
> you will do well.
>
> Job applicants who feel they must prove that they are able by bringing 
> in tech equipment or disclosing prior to the interview, tend to do 
> more poorly in obtaining employment.  The employer wants an employee 
> who can be consistently on time and do a satisfactory job while being 
> a part of a team.
>
>
>  Congratulations on your graduation and best of luck on your job search.
>
>
> JD Townsend, LCSW
> Helping the light dependent to see
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah Meyer 
> via HumanSer
> Sent: Sunday, November 1, 2020 12:49 PM
> To: humanser at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Sarah Meyer <sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [HumanSer] Questions about Driver's License as a Minimum 
> Requirement for Employment
>
> Greetings all,
> I hope you are all well and staying healthy. I am writing because I am 
> beginning my job search since I am graduating with my Master's in 
> Clinical Mental Health Counseling this December and have come across 
> my first barrier through my first interview.
>
> I interviewed for a position as a school-based therapist through a 
> community mental health agency the other day. The interview went well 
> but I received an email a few hours later from the person in HR with 
> whom I have been in contact stating that while the supervisor said the 
> interview was positive and productive, I disclosed that I am blind, 
> and she wanted to clarify if I would still be able to drive and 
> transport clients and if I had a driver's license and auto insurance.
> She said these were minimum requirements for the job. I should note 
> that I never filled out an application for this position; the career 
> coach from the Ball State University Career Center with whom I have 
> been working connected me with this person from HR at a community 
> mental health agency so I reached out with my CV and was soon 
> contacted thereafter with an offer of an interview. I responded to the 
> email inquiring about my ability to transport clients and verified 
> that I am blind and do not drive but asked if transporting clients was 
> an essential function of the job. My understanding is that most of the 
> year, I would be meeting with students and families in an office at 
> the high school or virtually, except in the summer and other breaks 
> when they transition to a community-based approach. Therapists will 
> pick up students and bring them to the school, meet with them in the 
> community, or go to their homes. Additionally, if students meet with 
> the therapist after the schoolday ends, therapists will drive them 
> home. The supervisor said that when she was in this position, they 
> sometimes made arrangements with parents for transportation, but this 
> was not always reliable and she preferred to drive students herself as 
> this allowed her to maintain the most control over her schedule.
>
> I am wondering if anyone on this list has done school-based therapy or 
> community-based therapy that typically involves transporting clients 
> as a part of the job, and if so, how you navigated this situation. I 
> am curious if folks still apply for jobs where a driver's license is 
> required. I am also curious if people have suggestions on how to 
> proceed with this potential employer. I thought about the possible 
> option of hiring a driver, but would this be acceptable to an employer 
> if they are concerned about confidentiality and other liability concerns?
>
> I look forward to hearing back from you at your earliest convenience.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Sarah
>
>
> --
> Doug Lee                 dgl at dlee.org
https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dlee.or
g%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cshannon.cook%40sccb.sc.gov%7C5612cdc37992400b32ed08d
87f681c45%7Ce9f8d01480d84f27b0d6c3d6c085fcdd%7C1%7C0%7C637399432416190206%7C
Unknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLC
JXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=HzRnGsorhJB7MmNlfeOqB55kcj5lenUMLtqCXmVrmCo%3D
&reserved=0
> Level Access             doug.lee at LevelAccess.com
> https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.l
> evelaccess.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cshannon.cook%40sccb.sc.gov%7C5612
> cdc37992400b32ed08d87f681c45%7Ce9f8d01480d84f27b0d6c3d6c085fcdd%7C1%7C
> 0%7C637399432416190206%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJ
> QIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=sJST3XSSu
> pVFMXdTpKgTxJdqicCK2lHkMK04iivxeqI%3D&reserved=0
> "It's not easy to be crafty and winsome at the same time, and few 
> accomplish it after the age of six." --John W. Gardner and Francesca 
> Gardner Reese
>
> _______________________________________________
> HumanSer mailing list
> HumanSer at nfbnet.org
> https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnfbne
> t.org%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fhumanser_nfbnet.org&data=04%7C01%7Csh
> annon.cook%40sccb.sc.gov%7C5612cdc37992400b32ed08d87f681c45%7Ce9f8d014
> 80d84f27b0d6c3d6c085fcdd%7C1%7C0%7C637399432416190206%7CUnknown%7CTWFp
> bGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn
> 0%3D%7C1000&sdata=EglOgqTpYB%2BIK9pwFRxw%2BcjTA1cIu3bj4XGLz0pztNM%
> 3D&reserved=0 To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your 
> account info for
> HumanSer:
> https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnfbne
> t.org%2Fmailman%2Foptions%2Fhumanser_nfbnet.org%2Fsarah.meyer55%2540gm
> ail.com&data=04%7C01%7Cshannon.cook%40sccb.sc.gov%7C5612cdc3799240
> 0b32ed08d87f681c45%7Ce9f8d01480d84f27b0d6c3d6c085fcdd%7C1%7C0%7C637399
> 432416190206%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luM
> zIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=kTrEqrd6BAjzpFrUBx3
> H8k6dfJOYCqoyLJFYQY5NgDU%3D&reserved=0
>

--
Sarah K. Meyer
Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Ball State University
Pronouns: she/her/hers. See
https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myprono
uns.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cshannon.cook%40sccb.sc.gov%7C5612cdc37992400b3
2ed08d87f681c45%7Ce9f8d01480d84f27b0d6c3d6c085fcdd%7C1%7C0%7C637399432416190
206%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1h
aWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=JdoxO5OscG%2BhN3sZuZC0%2FnH166e5nU86XDLw
1vEE1nU%3D&reserved=0
sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com
(317)402-6632

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. You can live the life you
want; blindness is not what holds you back. Together with love, hope, and
determination, we transform dreams into reality.

_______________________________________________
HumanSer mailing list
HumanSer at nfbnet.org
https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnfbnet.org%
2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Fhumanser_nfbnet.org&data=04%7C01%7Cshannon.cook%4
0sccb.sc.gov%7C5612cdc37992400b32ed08d87f681c45%7Ce9f8d01480d84f27b0d6c3d6c0
85fcdd%7C1%7C0%7C637399432416190206%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAw
MDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=EglOgqTp
YB%2BIK9pwFRxw%2BcjTA1cIu3bj4XGLz0pztNM%3D&reserved=0
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
HumanSer:
https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnfbnet.org%
2Fmailman%2Foptions%2Fhumanser_nfbnet.org%2Fshannon.cook%2540sccb.sc.gov&amp
;data=04%7C01%7Cshannon.cook%40sccb.sc.gov%7C5612cdc37992400b32ed08d87f681c4
5%7Ce9f8d01480d84f27b0d6c3d6c085fcdd%7C1%7C0%7C637399432416190206%7CUnknown%
7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn
0%3D%7C1000&sdata=2H0IAn4YnBHntUC3NNlkpdcHhUe%2Fg%2BFFgZTbVT%2BFC7g%3D&a
mp;reserved=0

_______________________________________________
HumanSer mailing list
HumanSer at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
HumanSer:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gma
il.com