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NDNA in HoCo




Here’s a local job listing. 


Sounds interesting. (If you don’t need health insurance and other benefits, that is.) Do me a favor and think for a moment. Imagine the kinds of activities that this job will entail.

Okay?

Now look at this.


Must have own transportation, must be able to operate an automobile…hmm…

Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, remain seated for long periods of time, and bend,stoop, reach, and climb without difficulty.

Wait, what?

Read the original job description again. Do these additional requirements make sense to you?

They do if you understand that they are quite useful in discouraging people with disabilities from applying. It against the law to discriminate against the disabled in matters of employment. However, if you articulate specific requirements that would exclude applicants with disabilities…

That’s not technically discrimination.

Or is it?

Imagine you are skilled and capable and can perform all of the tasks the job outlines, but you are disabled. You want to work. You could be a prime candidate for the position.

Tough luck. Those words mean - - essentially - - No Disabled Need Apply.

Now imagine how that impacts everything else in your life. Transportation, health care, housing.

I read this morning that some members of the County Council don’t think we should be investing in the development of rental housing. Describe to me the pathway to home ownership in Howard County for a skilled, capable job applicant who is willing to work who can’t even make it past the job advertisement to participate in an interview process. 

I’ll wait.


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  1. Julia A. McCreadyApril 8, 2026 at 5:37 AM

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