Showing posts with label Job. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Job. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Deaf lost a job offer because school won't provide interpreters.

My friend asked me to keep this as discreet as possible. In order to  respect his wishes I will keep his name and the name of the organization private. My friend is a Deaf young man who recently graduated from college. He was offered a job by a school district in Pennsylvania. However, he was told he would have to provide his own interpreter.

Now, isn't that a violation of American Disability Act (ADA)? 

If I remember correctly, it doesn't matter if it is a public or a private school, they are still required to provide reasonable accommodations.

However, there are actually a few ways that a school or a company can be excused from being obligated to provide an  interpreter.

1) The organization can prove that they cannot afford the interpreter.
2) The company has less than 10-15 employees.
3) The school has a religious affiliation. (i.e. John Doe Christian Academy in the North Pole).

I believe that if they don't meet any of the above qualifications and they still refuse to provide an interpreter, you may be able to contact US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

What are your thoughts? Anyone else have a similar problem?