Regarding Job Postings at State Services for the Blind

A2012-04: Regarding Job Postings at State Services for the Blind

Adopted In : 2012

Topics : Employment

WHEREAS, the Communication Center of Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB) has for many years been highly regarded in Minnesota and around the country as a leader in providing access to the printed word in alternate formats; and

WHEREAS, the Communication Center has employed a number of blind persons over the years demonstrating a willingness to work with individuals to develop alternative approaches to fulfilling job responsibilities as can be seen, for example, in braille proofreading positions; and

WHEREAS, It is less important how a job function is performed than the level of the results that are achieved; and

WHEREAS, It is often necessary for blind job-seekers to develop techniques to address specific aspects of a job in a manner that is different from how that same duty is performed by someone who is not blind; and

WHEREAS, two recent job openings at the Communication Center were defined specifically or by implication in such a way as to prevent otherwise qualified blind persons from competing for those positions because of not being able to read print directly; and

WHEREAS, this approach prevents qualified blind candidates from presenting alternative approaches to handling the duties associated with the position or even applying; and

WHEREAS, blind persons should not expect to be given preference for particular positions but should reasonably expect some flexibility in dealing with printed material from the agency having as its mission to provide blind persons with access to printed materials; now, Therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED  by the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota in convention assembled this twenty-eighth day of October, 2012,  in the city of Duluth, Minnesota, that this organization call upon the Communication Center of Minnesota State Services for the Blind (SSB) to ensure that future postings for positions at the Communication Center are not defined in such a way as to prevent qualified blind candidates from competing for these positions; and

BE IT FURTHER Resolved that this organization express its willingness to work with SSB and the Communication Center to help develop flexible approaches to defining job responsibilities so that excellent potential blind employees are not excluded and so that SSB can serve as a model of successful employment of qualified blind persons to other employers.

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