Inside the Cover

Gary, an FAA employee who is deaf: After graduating from college with a degree in engineering technology, I was eager to get out in the work world. One of my first interviews at a government agency was conducted by note taking and lip reading. One manufacturing company told me they could not hire me because they considered me a safety threat, being deaf and working with heavy machinery. I finally got a job in the laundry department of a hotel. Meanwhile, I kept looking for jobs in my chosen field. I completed an application for a draftsman position at the FAA. They offered me a temporary position, which I accepted!

A few days before my contract was up, a co-worker assisted me in contacting companies needing engineering expertise. I landed another job, this time as an engineering technician for a company under government contract. The company did not make many accommodations. It was difficult to understand what was happening at staff meetings. Hands over faces, video screenings without closed-captioning, cassette tapes, and conference calls contributed to my frustration and lack of communication! The company didn't provide an interpreter, so I missed out on a lot of information. Then, I learned the FAA had a full-time position open for an "Engineering Technician." I submitted my application.

Richard, FAA Manager: I was ready to fill the position. As I had always done, I was prepared to look through lists of applications before hiring anyone. I remembered my past contacts with Gary and wished I could hire him. His abilities, strong work ethic, and positive attitude would be an asset to any organization. I visited with him and advised him of the position.

As I began to process paperwork through our Human Resource Office, I was surprised to learn that hiring a person with a disability is simple! No advertisement is needed, no list of applications is required, and the actual hiring method took two weeks!

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