Spinal Cord Advocates

Despite the federal government’s obligation to be a model employer of people with disabilities, it appears there is plenty of room for improvement — not just in hiring but also in promoting people with disabilities and providing them with reasonable accommodation for their disabilities.

• Shame on the federal government for not hiring more people with disabilities
• Better disability training is needed for federal employees

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Government might need a refresher course on hiring the disabled


Feds Ill-Equipped To Hire People With Disabilities, Survey Finds

Have you tried to get a job with the federal government? What was your experience like?

The number of people with disabilities who work for the federal government has steadily declined over the last several years. Although the government would like you to believe that it’s been an active employer of people with disabilities, a recent study released by the Federal Managers Association shows that the entire process may be broken and in need of some TLC. The study found that many hiring managers were aware of the federal government attempts to increase hiring of people with disabilities, but the managers were unsure of the process and what was involved.

A shocking forty percent of the federal managers surveyed said they had not been trained on how to deal with job applicants or employees with disabilities. This is a troubling stat, considering that the laws outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), specifically Title I, which covers such things as job application procedures, hiring, training, advancement, and making reasonable accommodations are not being followed too closely by the federal government in their own hiring practices. Yikes!

One thing is for certain, more training is needed in hiring Americans with Disabilities for federal positions. And hopefully that change isn’t too far off.

It’s encouraging that Christine Griffin, formerly an EEOC Commissioner, is now the second in command at the federal Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that oversees all federal government hiring and human resources policies. She is making it a high priority for the federal government to change its ways. As a person with a disability, Ms. Griffin has much insight to bring to the table, as well as the experience and know-how to influence change in how the federal government hires people with disabilities and accords them their rights to reasonable accommodation.

We are not advocating that the federal government to become a clearinghouse for employment for people with disabilities, but it should live up to its own words.

You can also do your part to change the trends. Please share your experiences and your thoughts and ideas on how to make changes with us below and we’ll make sure to spread the word!