A candidate’s resume demonstrates a perfect fit for a position, but on

A candidate’s resume demonstrates a perfect fit for a position, but one glance showed the candidate was wheelchair bound. Which of the following suggestions should the nurse make to the employer?

a. Be as polite as possible, but point out how difficult it would be to fulfill job responsibilities while confined to a wheelchair
b. Be sure that another candidate is more qualified and “fits more closely with our company goals”
c. Employ the candidate and rearrange the work area for easy access and exit for someone in a wheelchair
d. Point out that other employees would probably not be kind to someone in a wheelchair who is unable to join in many of the physical recreational activities

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: C
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The core of this law requires employers to adjust facilities and practices for the purpose of making “reasonable accommodations” to enhance opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The occupational health nurse has the duty to provide or facilitate reasonable accommodations based on the nurse’s familiarity with the physical requirements of jobs in the workplace. If this candidate was indeed the perfect fit for the position, not hiring the candidate because of the disability would be considered discrimination. If other employees are not kind to this candidate after the candidate is hired, they will likely face reprimand by the employer.