[nfb-talk] blind job seekers

Kenneth Chrane kenneth.chrane at verizon.net
Tue Mar 18 16:28:31 CDT 2008


Hi Cheryl, I have been making several attemps to find employment in 
Baltimore, Maryland, and sofar, I have only succeed in getting my foot into 
the door.
I only worked for Super Eagle Supply from March until June of 2007 and that 
was only because there was a contract with BISM.
For the rest of 2007, I did Volunteer work as a Rehab Receptionist for BISM 
and some idiot accused me for being aggressive on the phone with a customer.
Just this last Monday, I applied for a position as a PBX Switchboard 
operator with the Pikesville, Maryland at the Hilton Hotel.
I hope that I can land the job.
This is the situation that I find myself in.
In Baltimore, no one wants to hire the blind.
People in Baltimore are very hesitant when it comes to hiring blind people.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Chrane

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 2:25 PM
Subject: [nfb-talk] blind job seekers


Tell me about it, I just finished Branford Hall studying Medical 
Billing/Coding and the school as part of the class we have an internship 
which the school finds for us, not us finding the internship and they have 
been having problems find me one because I am blind.  I have been finished 
with my classes since last Monday, and I need 150 hrs of internship to 
graduate, how suck is this.

Cheryl Echevarria
Treasurer
NFB of NY/Long Island Chapter
skype: angeldn38
windows live messenger: 
cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com<mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: nfb-talk-request at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk-request at nfbnet.org>
  To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
  Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 1:00 PM
  Subject: nfb-talk Digest, Vol 22, Issue 45


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  Today's Topics:

     1. FW: [Acbny-l] Blind People Face Lingering Workplace Bias
        (Eric Calhoun)
     2. FW: [CCB-L] Candle in the Window (Eric Calhoun)
     3. Re: FW: [Acbny-l] Blind People Face Lingering Workplace Bias
        (RyanO)
     4. Blind Job Seekers Still Face Discrimination: (Kenneth Chrane)


  ----------------------------------------------------------------------

  Message: 1
  Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:57:43 -0400 (EDT)
  From: "Eric Calhoun" <eric at pmpmail.com<mailto:eric at pmpmail.com>>
  Subject: [nfb-talk] FW: [Acbny-l] Blind People Face Lingering
  Workplace Bias
  To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>, 
acb-l at acb.org<mailto:acb-l at acb.org>, 
ccb-l at googlegroups.com<mailto:ccb-l at googlegroups.com>,
  nfbaz-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbaz-talk at nfbnet.org>, 
blindtlk at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindtlk at nfbnet.org>, 
blindkid at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindkid at nfbnet.org>,
  tn-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:tn-talk at nfbnet.org>, 
nfbf-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>, 
nfbc-info at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>,
  blparent at nfbnet.org<mailto:blparent at nfbnet.org>, 
twreynolds at earthlink.net<mailto:twreynolds at earthlink.net>, 
rwendt at csulb.edu<mailto:rwendt at csulb.edu>
  Message-ID: 
<20080317175743.AD8335F3E7 at node21.smtp.com<mailto:20080317175743.AD8335F3E7 at node21.smtp.com>>



  Original Message:
  From: "Don Moore" <donmoore48 at gmail.com<mailto:donmoore48 at gmail.com>>
  To: <fcb-l at acb.org<mailto:fcb-l at acb.org>>
  Subject: [Acbny-l] Blind People Face Lingering Workplace Bias
  Date:
  Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:45:08 -0400

  Blind People Face Lingering Workplace Bias

  BY Associated Press
  March 17, 2008
  URL: 
http://www.nysun.com/article/73021<http://www.nysun.com/article/73021>

  Technology and training have improved to the point that blind people can
  adeptly perform a dazzling array of jobs - soon to include the 
governorship
  of New York. The biggest obstacle still in their way, advocates say, is 
the
  negative attitude of many employers.

  The most recent available statistics suggest that only about 30% of
  working-age blind people have jobs. That figure was calculated more than 
10
  years ago, but the major groups lobbying on behalf of blind Americans
  believe it remains accurate despite numerous technological advances.

  "Most people don't know a blind person, so they assume that blind people
  are not capable of doing most jobs when in fact that's not true," a
  spokesman for the National Federation of the Blind, Chris Danielson, said.

  Exhibit A, for the moment, is the incoming governor, David Paterson.

  "Unfortunately we're still living in an age of misperceptions of what
  blind people can do," the president of the American Foundation for the
  Blind, Carl Augusto, said. "We're hoping that an employer considering
  hiring a blind person will say that if David Paterson can be governor and
  be legally blind, maybe this applicant who is blind can be a good computer
  programmer."

  There are an estimated 10 million visually impaired people in the United
  States, including about 1.3 million who are legally blind, according to 
Mr.
  Augusto's foundation.

  The foundation says legal blindness is generally described as visual
  acuity of 20-200 or less in the better eye, with a corrective lens. Mr.
  Paterson has enough sight in his right eye to walk unaided, recognize
  people at conversational distance, and read if the text is close to his
  face.

  In theory, those people are covered by the Americans with Disabilities
  Act, which among its many provisions requires employers to give fair
  consideration and treatment to visually impaired employees and job
  applicants. But Mr. Augusto said employers routinely turn down blind
  applicants without incurring legal sanction.

  "The ADA is a wonderful law, but many employers find a way not to
  seriously consider blind people," he said. "They look at themselves and
  then say, 'I can't imagine how a blind person can be a computer 
programmer.
  They can't possibly do it.'"

  Advocacy groups work persistently to change such attitudes, with employer
  education programs and public appearances by successful blind people to
  discuss capabilities. One component of such campaigns is to raise 
awareness
  of the technology that helps blind people handle more types of jobs -
  including software that reads aloud information on a computer screen.

  March 17, 2008 Edition > Section:

  _______________________________________________
  Acbny-l mailing list
  Acbny-l at emissives.com<mailto:Acbny-l at emissives.com>
  http://emissives.com/mailman/listinfo/acbny-l_emissives.com<http://emissives.com/mailman/listinfo/acbny-l_emissives.com>




  ------------------------------

  Message: 2
  Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:03:58 -0400 (EDT)
  From: "Eric Calhoun" <eric at pmpmail.com<mailto:eric at pmpmail.com>>
  Subject: [nfb-talk] FW: [CCB-L] Candle in the Window
  To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>, 
blparent at nfbnet.org<mailto:blparent at nfbnet.org>, 
blindkid at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindkid at nfbnet.org>,
  nfbc-info at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>, 
nfbaz-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbaz-talk at nfbnet.org>, 
nfbf-l at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>,
  acb-l at acb.org<mailto:acb-l at acb.org>, 
blind-friends at yahoogroups.com<mailto:blind-friends at yahoogroups.com>,
  twreynolds at earthlink.net<mailto:twreynolds at earthlink.net>, 
blind at verizon.net<mailto:blind at verizon.net>, 
blindtlk at nfbnet.org<mailto:blindtlk at nfbnet.org>,
  tn-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:tn-talk at nfbnet.org>, 
napub at nfbnet.org<mailto:napub at nfbnet.org>
  Message-ID: 
<20080317180358.A574E5F54A at node21.smtp.com<mailto:20080317180358.A574E5F54A at node21.smtp.com>>



  Original Message:
  From: "Lori" <twilight2 at kconline.com<mailto:twilight2 at kconline.com>>
  To: <indiana-l at acb.org<mailto:indiana-l at acb.org>>
  Subject: [CCB-L] Candle in the Window
  Date:
  Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:46:59 -0400


  Candle in the Window, a small national non-profit organization with the
  aim
  of building both individual skills and a sense of community among persons
  with visual impairments, welcomes blind people with varied experiences to
  join them at their 21st annual conference entitled "Family Matters: The
  Roles of Blindness in Family Life."
  We aim to address such questions as:
  * What family influences continue to shape our approach to blindness?
  * What factors (culture, the "blindness system," etc.) influenced our
  families' attitude towards blindness, and how did they respond?
  * What differences, if any, exist between family relationships of those
  who
  grew up while blind compared to those who became blind later in life?
  * How do we negotiate dependence-independence issues in current family
  relationships?
  In addition to provocative presentations and stimulating discussions,
  there
  will be plenty of time for hiking, eating, singing, quiet reflection, and
  just plain "hanging out."
  The conference will take place from Wednesday, September 10 through the
  morning of Sunday, September 14th, at Wooded Glen, a lovely retreat center
  located in Henryville, Indiana just outside of Louisville, Kentucky.
  Cost: $475 for two to a room; $455 for three to a room; and $405 for four
  to
  a room. A $40 discount if we receive a $35 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit by
  August
  1); limited scholarships and payment plans available.
  For additional information, please contact Becky Barnes at (914) 243-2210
  e-mail:
  beckyb at cloud9.net<mailto:beckyb at cloud9.net>
  , or Donna Pomerantz at (626) 844-4388 e-mail:
  dmpomerantz at earthlink.net<mailto:dmpomerantz at earthlink.net>
  .
  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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  --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
  73 years of serving the blind of California, we are the California
  Council of the Blind.

  Please support the California Council of the Blind by using
  www.ccbnet.gttrends.com<http://www.ccbnet.gttrends.com/>
  for your travel needs.  50% of the commissions from your travel purchases
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  ------------------------------

  Message: 3
  Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:10:45 -0600
  From: "RyanO" <ryano218 at comcast.net<mailto:ryano218 at comcast.net>>
  Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] FW: [Acbny-l] Blind People Face Lingering
  Workplace Bias
  To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" 
<nfb-talk at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>>
  Message-ID: 
<005501c8886a$fd13bfe0$f377b043 at osentows7ff6f7<mailto:005501c8886a$fd13bfe0$f377b043 at osentows7ff6f7>>
  Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
  reply-type=original

  This article is right on the money. Blind people are pigeon-holed into
  several work niches because employers have figured out subtle ways to 
avoid
  hiring them. It's a shame, since we have made some major strides in a few
  areas, but equal employment is still the phantom that eludes us.


  RyanO



  ------------------------------

  Message: 4
  Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:28:05 -0400
  From: "Kenneth Chrane" 
<kenneth.chrane at verizon.net<mailto:kenneth.chrane at verizon.net>>
  Subject: [nfb-talk] Blind Job Seekers Still Face Discrimination:
  To: "Multiple recipients of NFBnet NFB-Talk Mailing List"
  <NFB-Talk at NFBnet.org<mailto:NFB-Talk at NFBnet.org>>, 
<peeps-talk at yahoogroups.com<mailto:peeps-talk at yahoogroups.com>>
  Cc: "Kathy M. Craig" 
<ekscraig2 at embarqmail.com<mailto:ekscraig2 at embarqmail.com>>, 
kenneth at samobile.net<mailto:kenneth at samobile.net>,
  Lisa Guliani <wingedpiper at yahoo.com<mailto:wingedpiper at yahoo.com>>, Dan 
Woytowitz
  <DWoytowitz at BISM.org<mailto:DWoytowitz at BISM.org>>, 
pmsinc at juno.com<mailto:pmsinc at juno.com>, 
JaneyButtn at aol.com<mailto:JaneyButtn at aol.com>, "Susan A.
  Chrane" 
<schrane at cherrycreekschools.org<mailto:schrane at cherrycreekschools.org>>
  Message-ID: 
<003701c8886d$6974bc50$3144fea9 at D5SPJ021<mailto:003701c8886d$6974bc50$3144fea9 at D5SPJ021>>
  Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1;
  reply-type=original



  Mar 16, 1:50 PM EDT

  Employer bias thwarts many blind workers

  By DAVID CRARY
  AP National Writer

  NEW YORK (AP) -- Technology and training have improved to the point that
  blind people can adeptly perform a dazzling array of jobs - soon to 
include
  the governorship of New York. The biggest obstacle still in their way,
  advocates say, is the negative attitude of many employers.

  The most recent available statistics suggest that only about 30 percent of
  working-age blind people have jobs. That figure was calculated more than 
10
  years ago, but the major groups lobbying on behalf of blind Americans
  believe it remains accurate despite numerous technological advances.

  "Most people don't know a blind person, so they assume that blind people 
are
  not capable of doing most jobs when in fact that's not true," said Chris
  Danielson, spokesman for the National Federation of the Blind.

  Exhibit A, for the moment, is David Paterson, the legally blind lieutenant
  governor of New York from Harlem who will be sworn in Monday as governor,
  replacing scandal-tarnished Eliot Spitzer.

  However, blind people hold all sorts of jobs these days - judge, fitness
  trainer, TV show host, registered nurse, lawyer and so on.

  "Unfortunately we're still living in an age of misperceptions of what 
blind
  people can do," said Carl Augusto, president of the American Foundation 
for
  the Blind. "We're hoping that an employer considering hiring a blind 
person
  will say that if David Paterson can be governor and be legally blind, 
maybe
  this applicant who is blind can be a good computer programmer."

  There are an estimated 10 million visually impaired people in the United
  States, including about 1.3 million who are legally blind, according to
  Augusto's foundation. The foundation says legal blindness is generally
  described as visual acuity of 20-200 or less in the better eye, with a
  corrective lens. Paterson has enough sight in his right eye to walk 
unaided,
  recognize people at conversational distance and read if the text is close 
to
  his face.

  In theory, those people are covered by the Americans with Disabilities 
Act,
  which among its many provisions requires employers to give fair
  consideration and treatment to visually impaired employees and job
  applicants. But Augusto said employers routinely turn down blind 
applicants
  without incurring legal sanction.

  "The ADA is a wonderful law, but many employers find a way not to 
seriously
  consider blind people," he said. "They look at themselves and then say, 'I
  can't imagine how a blind person can be a computer programmer. They can't
  possibly do it.'"

  Advocacy groups work persistently to change such attitudes, with employer
  education programs and public appearances by successful blind people to
  discuss their capabilities. One component of such campaigns is to raise
  awareness of the ever-evolving technology that helps blind people handle
  more types of jobs - including software that reads aloud information on a
  computer screen and scanners that can covert printed material into Braille
  or an accessible electronic format.

  "The assisted technology has made the playing field as level as it's ever
  been for blind people," said Kirk Adams, president of Seattle's Lighthouse
  for the Blind, a nonprofit agency that provides job help. "There are fewer
  and fewer jobs a blind person can't do."

  Adams, 46, said being blind seemed a hindrance when he first began
  post-college job hunting, but he was hired as a securities broker and 
later
  served in various nonprofit fundraising jobs before moving to Lighthouse,
  which has 190 blind people on its payroll.

  One problem he notes is the difficulty many young blind people face in
  getting short-term or part-time work during high school and college.

  "There's a real divergence with sighted kids," Adams said. "It's very
  typical that a blind kid at 16 or 18 is not having success finding that
  first employment - we see a lot of frustration around that age because
  employers may not be thinking about making those short-term jobs
  accessible."

  The American Foundation for the Blind says it latest research indicates 
that
  once young blind people complete top-notch training and education 
programs,
  they attain an employment rate not much lower than sighted people. But
  Augusto said the overall portion of blind people with jobs remains low
  because many older workers who lose vision in middle age drop out of the
  work force rather than undergo retraining.

  "You get a bunch of people in their 50s who all of sudden are visually
  impaired - they can't drive anymore, they'll get Social Security benefits
  and maybe disability insurance," Augusto said. "They say, 'The heck with 
it,
  we're not going back to work. We don't want to go through the 
rehabilitation
  training - it's too hard.'"

  Kevin Worley, a blind Coloradan, runs a company that provides thousands of
  meals a day to Army troops at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. About 70
  percent of his 200 employees are blind or otherwise disabled.

  "There are still stereotypes of blind people," he said. "When employers,
  educators, even parents of blind kids have those stereotypes and low
  expectations, many are being kept down and out."

  The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which tracks workplace
  discrimination cases covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, says
  455 such complaints were filed last year by visually impaired workers - 
the
  highest number since 1995.

  "If someone's blind, there's a huge stigma to overcome and all kinds of
  myths and fears in the employer community," EEOC spokesman David Grinberg
  said.

  "The fact is that in the 21st century workplace people who are blind are
  just as able to do a job as anyone else - they just need to be given a
  chance," he said. "They know the deck is stacked against them. They work
  harder than others, and they end out being more effective workers."




  ------------------------------

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  End of nfb-talk Digest, Vol 22, Issue 45
  ****************************************



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