Recruiting members with disabilities and using an inclusive application process
Abstract
This tip sheet from Access AmeriCorps outlines ways to reach, interview and provide access to individuals with disabilities. The tip sheet includes appropriate and inappropriate interview questions, sample accommodation and non-discrimination statements, and ways to ensure accessibility during the recruitment process.
Issue
Members with disabilities can be an important part of your service team. Knowing how to recruit this population is essential to providing diversity in your program.
Action
Disseminating Information And The Inclusive Application Process
DISPLAY WELCOMING IMAGES AND LANGUAGE
- Include images of members with disabilities in brochures, flyers, application packets, videos, and other recruitment tools.
- Identify local individuals or organizations that will review materials to ensure accurate language use and positive portrayals of members with disabilities.
- Make questions related to disability optional on application forms. PROVIDE ACCESS
- Include a TTY (Teletypewriter) or operator relay service number, encouraging individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired to call.
- Include a statement regarding the provision of materials in alternate formats in all promotional materials.
- Identify alternative methods of filling out application forms for individuals who may have difficulty completing a written application.
- All published materials should contain an accommodation statement, such as: "Individuals with disabilities can make reasonable accommodation requests by calling (name of contact person) at (telephone/TTY number) by (deadline for requesting accommodation).
- Include disability in your non-discrimination statement.
"AmeriCorps does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender, national origin, color, political affiliation, religion, age or disability." - Check the accessibility of your Web site. Visit www.cast.org which houses "Bobby," a tool that will assess your Web site for free.
- Schedule information gathering sessions or interviews in accessible locations. KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFFTrain all staff to work with applicants and potential members with disabilities in the following areas:
- TTY/operator assisted relay service
- How to locate and hire sign language interpreters
- Materials in alternate formats
- Transport issues
- How to identify meeting places that are accessible
- Be familiar with the essential and marginal functions described in the service description.
- Ask all interviewees the same questions. Be willing to consider alternative ways essential functions may be performed or marginal functions can be reassigned.
- Be willing to ask how to be of assistance to the interviewee.
- Be willing to provide reasonable accommodations during the interview if requested by the individual being interviewed, as well as at any other point during the service relationship.
- Maintain any information volunteered by the individual about his/her disability as confidential. Keep this documented information in a separate locked file.
- Focus on questions about the ability of the individual to perform the essential functions of the service position with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Do not make assumptions about reasonable accommodations or ability.
- Withhold judgment about what an individual can or cannot do and how a task may be accomplished. Be open to the many ways that a task can be performed.
- Maintain the same expectations and standards you would for any applicant, but be willing to offer reasonable accommodations so they can be met.
- Create a comfortable and open interview environment enabling the interviewee to request reasonable accommodations.
- This position typically requires lifting and carrying 15 pound boxes. Can you do that? If not, how would you move these boxes from point A to point B with or without reasonable accommodation?
- This service requires seasonal tasks and requires that members devote 15 hours of overtime a month during the fall. Can you do that?
- This position involves working varied hours. Can you do varied hours?<
- This position involves taking information over the telephone and entering it into the computer. Can you do that?
- Can you file documents?
Inappropriate Questions - Do you have a disability or illness that I should know about?
- Have you ever filed a workers' compensation claim?
- What diseases have you had?
- Are you taking any prescribed drugs?
- Do you have any physical or mental impairments that may affect your performance in this position?
- How many days were you sick last year?
- Have you ever been hospitalized?
- To do this service, you will obviously need reasonable accommodations. Which ones will you need?
Citation
United Cerebal Palsy Associations/Access AmeriCorps. "Disseminating Information And The Inclusive Application Process." Found on the website at: http://www.ucp.org/ucp_generaldoc.cfm/1/6619/6621/6621-6621/430
