One of the biggest challenges individuals with disabilities face is finding accommodating jobs.
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Many positions are not equipped to hire someone with disabilities, but luckily, USA JOBS has a variety of options.
USAJOBS.gov is a government website that lists jobs that the United States needs to fill. It has a number of different hiring paths, including one for individuals with disabilities.
Using this path, individuals with disabilities can apply and compete for all positions and may be eligible for a special hiring authority in some cases.
This special hiring path eases the burden for many individuals with disabilities.
One hiring authority that’s especially important for those with disabilities is Schedule A.
Schedule A is a special hiring authority that helps federal agencies quickly hire individuals with disabilities.
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Those who apply under Schedule A become an exception to the typical competitive hiring procedures, which can be a great path for many people.
To qualify to use Schedule A, an individual must have an intellectual disability, a severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability.
Schedule A requires everyone to provide proof of their disability with a letter pertaining to the nature of their intellectual, physical, or psychiatric disability.
This letter can come from a doctor, licensed medical professional, licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any federal, state, or local agency that is authorized to give disability benefits.
Of course, applying under Schedule A does not guarantee applicants will get the position. Schedule A applicants still have to compete with other eligible workers.
The first two things any applicant must do is create an account with login.gov and then make an account with USA JOBS.
In the USA JOBS account, the Individuals with Disabilities hiring path can be added to the profile.
Applicants will use the USA JOBS to look for various positions.
The website has a “This job is open to” section in the job announcement with a dark blue icon of a wheelchaired individual.
This icon indicates that this job is open specifically for those using the individuals with disabilities hiring path.
Of course, the applicant can feel free to apply for jobs without this icon too.
In the search bar, applicants can also filter results to only bring up options with this hiring path.
Currently, there are over 3,900 positions that accommodate the Individuals with Disabilities path.
One position, as of June 1st, 2023, is working as a Data Scientist for the Office of Disability Employment Policy, and the salary starts at $112,015 per year.
There are positions from a variety of different sectors, not just data science.
Once the applicant has found a position they like, all they have to do is click on the “Apply” button and fill out the relevant information.
They will need a disability letter that proves Schedule A eligibility.
They can upload and submit this document along with all other documents in the USA JOBS portal.
Applicants should mention their eligibility and explicitly state they want consideration for Schedule A in their resume and cover letter.
More information on Schedule A can be found here.
Another essential thing applicants should know is that federal agencies are required by law to give reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
They can only make exceptions if it causes the agency “undue hardship”.
Accommodations make it easier for the person with disabilities to perform their job well.
These accommodations include interpreters, readers, modified position tasks, flexible work schedules, accessible technology, and more.
Individuals are allowed to request reasonable accommodation at any time on the job or during the hiring process.
These requests are processed and approved on a case-by-case basis.
To submit this sort of request, applicants must look at the specific job listing for instructions, communicate with the interview scheduler, contact the SPPC, and request accommodation verbally or in writing.
The federal government has several programs to promote accessibility in the workplace.
Selective placement program coordinators, known as SPPC, are a huge resource for individuals with disabilities.
SPPCs help agencies hire and accommodate those with disabilities.
They guide applicants through the process and answer any questions.
Almost all federal agencies have an SPPC or something similar, such as a special emphasis program manager.
Anyone with a disability who wants to apply for a government job should contact the SPPC agency with the selective placement program coordinator directory.
It is a fantastic resource.
Many individuals with disabilities crave a steady job with solid accommodations and strong job security.
Working for the federal government is a great way for them to achieve these goals.
There are thousands of positions available right now, so applicants should feel encouraged to apply right now.