GOT A JOB INTERVIEW!!! (Inn The Doghouse) *Update #19/#20*

[CountryWolf07]

Yup.. it is a lot more complicated. I'm not going to go against it. What just bothered me was that she asked me a lot of questions due to my hearing if I could hear the doorbell, if I could hear the dogs barking, small and big, dogs whining... phone going off.. and this was all right after I told her about my choice to have a cochlear implant to improve my life, etc. which was just, I don't want to get into it. I was in not a great mood yesterday, because I really did think I was ABLE to do the job, but I guess in her eyes, I may not be. She was more concerned over my hearing if I could hear enough, which I don't understand, because LIKE what you stated, hearing impaired have worked in factories, etc. That's a lot more than just being able to work at a dogcare center.

Sorry.. I'm just miffed, I suppose.

If being able to hear (or see or lift, etc) is a bona fide occupational qualification - that is necessary to perform the job - the employer needs to look at whether reasonable accomodation can be made to allow the person to perform the job. "Reasonable" is determined by how many people there are in the job category, the cost of the accomodation and the funds available to the company.

It is alot more complicated than it sounds to make a claim under ADA.

Your best bet is to be prepared in advance to describe to the prospective employer how the disability could be accomodated. I was working for a school bus company and we had some hearing impaired mechanics. Vibrating beepers and flashing lights took care of warning them of moving vehicles and other hazards.

Also, ADA only applies to employers with 15 or more employees.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Yup.. it is a lot more complicated. I'm not going to go against it.

But you should "go against it" -- not get a lawyer but write her an email or a letter. Tell her how you accomodate for you hearing impairment. And how in other sense you make up for the hearing. These mechanics would "hear" things in the engine through their hands that other mechanics missed.

Not an angry letter or a threatening letter - but an honest explanation how you would be the best person for the job.

You might open her eyes....(pun intended...)

[Medusa]

But you should "go against it" -- not get a lawyer but write her an email or a letter. Tell her how you accomodate for you hearing impairment. And how in other sense you make up for the hearing. These mechanics would "hear" things in the engine through their hands that other mechanics missed.

Not an angry letter or a threatening letter - but an honest explanation how you would be the best person for the job.

You might open her eyes....(pun intended...)

I think this is a good idea, Rachel. Plus it would show her how serious you are and how much you want the job. If hearing impaired people can drive, it's reasonable to assume that you could do this job, without my knowing all the particulars, of course. Name it and claim it! Wishing you the best....

[CountryWolf07]

E-mailed her the other day, so... nothing.

Guess it wasn't meant to be.

Sometimes, it just sucks being hearing impaired.

[Medusa]

Well, we'll just have to hold the thought that a better job is waiting for you. Keep the faythe.

[Laura's Babies]

Their loss will be someone elses gain!

[Alysser]

((hugs)) I really hope you get hired. That is a really stupid excuse for not hiring someone. I really think you would due the job just fine, she just lost a really good employee over nothing really.

I'm sorry though, I really hope you find a job soon.

[Edwina's Secretary]

E-mailed her the other day, so... nothing.

Guess it wasn't meant to be.

Sometimes, it just sucks being hearing impaired.

If she hasn't told you a definitive "no" I still think it might be worth one more email.

Sometimes people need an extra nudge in the right direction.

[Cinder & Smoke]

What just bothered me was that she asked me a lot of questions due to my hearing -
if I could hear the doorbell, if I could hear the dogs barking,
small and big, dogs whining... phone going off..
and this was all right after I told her about my choice to have a cochlear implant
to improve my life, etc.

She was more concerned over my hearing if I could hear enough ...

A couple ideas for the next time:

* Carry a write-up explaining just what a cochlear implant actually is and how it works
* Example: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/coch.asp

* Work out a series of 'show & tell' type "tests" that you can do to demonstrate
your capabilities to hear and recognize real-world sounds ...
** Respond to & talk on a telephone
** Respond to a doorbell or a knock on a door
** Respond to a smoke detector or fire alarm
** anything that you're comfortable doing

Don't make excuses - just show folks that you're 'normal' and can fully function
in the environment without special accommodations.

And don't be timid about showing folks your College DEGREE - earned at
a 'regular' college without a lot of special arrangements or aids.

Just show 'em You can DO IT!