Recruiter here with a visually impaired family member and who has hired visually impaired people!

This is a gray area in the US. More information is needed - is it a contract (1099) job or a direct hire (W2) position? What did the job posting state? What did the interviewers ask? Have there been only mentions of a drivers license or also requiring your own vehicle?

SHRM, a leading HR certification organization, has guidance for employers to be careful about asking if you have a car because that can create financial bias. What employers should ask is if you have reliable transport to work (which includes buses and taxis). Drivers licenses should only be required when it is imperative to the job's main function such as driving a box truck for a moving company or delivery van.

This is why reviewing what you were asked and what the job description and offer say is important.

If the requirement is a drivers license, not a car, that may be because they will offer you a company vehicle to drive instead. Or it could be a poorly worded version of asking you to use your own car or a sneakily worded way of discriminating against those without drivers licenses or cars. Or it could also be a very stupid way of them trying to prove work permit/visa/citizenship without saying it outright since it is hard in many places to get a driver's license if you are undocumented.

Also, if this is a 1099 contract, this may fall under the category of bringing your own equipment and therefore become a moot point. Then just ask about how their want the travel costs submitted for reimbursement.

If this is a direct hire W2 situation my advice would be to reach out to your contact, either recruiter, HR, or the hiring manager, and ask the following:

"I have a question about the drivers license requirement. Is this because a company vehicle is offered?"

Listen to their answer because that will tell you how flexible they are with how to handle this and what you need to be prepared to hear.

Whatever their answer is, a follow up is:

"I have reliable transportation but not a drivers license. I will be able to get to all off-site locations. Will this be a problem?"

Again, listen. If it isn't a problem, then ask "What is the reimbursement process for the travel expenses?"

If it is a problem, ask "Why is it a problem?" and have them explain more. This way you have lots of information on how you may be treated before you say anything.

The next step, if they require you to either have your own vehicle or drive company vehicle would be to say:

"I hear what you are saying. I am unable to get a driver's license due to being visually impaired. This is something that would be a reasonable accommodation since public transit, ride shares, and taxis are reliable transportation."

They may need to speak with HR at this point. Let them do so and be kind and understanding. Follow up with an email after the call to summarize what happened (creating a paper trail) and copy the hiring manager and any contacts you have in HR. Cover your ass! Document, document, document!

All may be fine with no other problems. Then you can sign the offer and discuss any other accomodations needs you may have, like screen reading software or adjusted lighting at your desk.

If they take back the offer, it may be considered discrimination due to your disability. Dealing with that through an EEOC complaint is your choice.

As a recruiter, I think this is a reasonable accommodation. Many cities have thorough public transit and many people don't drive within them - they get along just fine to get to off-site meetings!

Hi, I engage with large & multisite employers to open opportunities across the region where I live. You can ask for a reasonable adjustment, your disability will not prevent you from completing your task. In the UK we have Access to Work, they assist with the costs for getting to/from work if you use taxis etc. Within work, as I am a total and travel across the country to meet employers on site, aTW pay 50% of the costs and my work cover the remainder under their expenses. If I can help any more, give me a shout 😊 ..and atb!!

I technically disclosed it during the initial interview by saying "by the way I can't drive" and they said it wouldn't be a problem and didn't ask why.