Guest guest Posted February 27, 2003 Report Share Posted February 27, 2003 Hello Big D > <<<the one thing holding me (and potential employers) is the fact that I am > visually impaired. Do you have qualms about working with a blind person? >> > > Why is it that employers seem to turn me away at the door? >>> Fear. Fear of the unknown and not knowing what to say or do. Employers get scared of liability issues and how much are the accommodations going to cost - -most don't know that the state departments of rehabilitation will pay for at least half if not all accommodations and that most people with disabilities bring their own with them. I know when I could not use my hands I had my own assistive technology and devices that weren't that big that I could bring with me. I figured if I could get up and dress myself to go out and get a coffee I could work. I worked part time in school -- 10-20 hours a week and minimum wage but for each job I never mentioned that I would need an accommodation and that I had my own equipment until I actually started. That way I figured they were hiring me based on my skills and not out of fear (or rejecting me because I was an unknown in terms of disability). <<<Is there > legislation against stuff like this???>>> If you are in school your Disability Resource center should have a counselor available to talk to you about the ADA and employment. I personally think the one thing you may have strongly have in your favor is your hearing ability -- not that you have supernatural hearing or anything like that -- just that to get through your day you need to really pay attention to what you hear. Voice inflection, tone and background sounds may well give you keys that the seeing population doesn't pay attention to because they/we think we see everything we need to. Thing is on a phone call we have to rely on what we hear and sometimes can miss something you may not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2003 Report Share Posted February 27, 2003 Patty > <<<be forced to retrofit our equipment or buy special equipment for someone > that > is visually impaired would put an incredible strain on the department and I > > don't think that is what the ADA had in mind when it was created. Yet I can > > see our department folding under the pressure to hire someone with these > special needs simply to avoid a lawsuit.>>> The State Department of Rehabilitation should be paying at least half if not all the accommodations and in some states they will actually pay part of the salary for the first several months, I believe up to 6 because it may take a little longer to teach the job to someone. Often people with disabilities have their own equipment. Under Rehab Services administration there was, at least up till 1998, grant money available and there is still a tax deduction an employer can take for funding ADA accommodations. > <<<While I do believe that EVERYONE has the right to work and be a > productive > member of society, I do NOT believe that everyone is entitled to be > employed > at any job they fancy unless they can perform the tasks that the job > involves. >>> I agree. Meeting the basic criteria is important. Some people may need an accommodation like a modified keyboard or glidepoint instead of a mouse. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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