Federal “Schedule A” Hiring Programs for People with Disabilities

Two people shake hands after accepting a disability friendly job from Schedule A hiring

16 Jul Federal “Schedule A” Hiring Programs for People with Disabilities

Posted at 08:00h in Employment by Triage Cancer

Job searching for people with disabilities can feel daunting. However, a job within the federal government could be easier to attain for those with disabilities through a program called “Schedule A” Hiring.

If you are a person with a disability and are seeking work, this blog lays out ways that you can apply for government jobs, all while being supported to succeed in your new role.

What is “Schedule A” Hiring?

Federal agencies use a special authority called “Schedule A” to allow for the hiring of “persons with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities.”

Federal agencies include the U.S. Departments of State, Health and Human Services (HHS), Agriculture, and Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can find the complete list of federal agencies here.

Who is Eligible for “Schedule A” Hiring?

Under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), a person with a disability is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a history or record of such impairment, or is perceived by others as having such an impairment.

You can have either a general or targeted disability, or both, to be covered under the ADA. Examples of general disabilities include:

Cancer
Diabetes
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
HIV

Targeted disabilities, which are those that the federal government puts a special emphasis on during the hiring process, include:

Developmental disabilities like Cerebral Palsy or Autism
Traumatic brain injuries
Blindness
Deafness
Epilepsy
Missing extremities

It is important to know that it does not matter whether your disability falls under the general or targeted category to be eligible for Schedule A hiring.

To be eligible for employment under the Schedule A process, you must provide documentation of your disability to the hiring agency.

How Do I Apply?

To find federal job openings, visit USAJOBS.gov. You can create an account and begin applying to jobs specifically open to persons with disabilities.

More information on the USAJOBS website about how to find specific jobs that are open to those with disabilities can be found here.

During the application process you may need to upload your proof of disability. If you have trouble finding this, reach out to the specific agency’s human resources or hiring department for assistance.

What Should I Expect in the Interview?

During a Schedule A interview, the employer will ask you questions regarding your job qualifications and how you would perform the essential functions of the job.

Similar to when you are applying for other jobs, the employer should not ask about your disability, unless the questions are related to job functions and are consistent with the business needs of the position.

What Kind of Jobs Can I Apply For?

There are a wide range of jobs available through the federal government. The level of education required for jobs may vary. Examples of positions that may be available include, but are not limited to:

Accountant
Human resources
Administrative assistant
Computer scientist
Lawyer
Engineer
Nurse
Data entry specialist

Where Do I Go If I Have More Questions?

For step-by-step tips on getting federal jobs through the Schedule A hiring process, visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

For more information about the federal agency hiring process, visit:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management (general information about the interview process)

USAJOBS Frequently Asked Questions Help Center (general questions when applying)

For more information about work and cancer, please visit our Work & Cancer Resources.

About Triage Cancer

Triage Cancer is a national, nonprofit providing free education to people diagnosed with cancer, caregivers, and health care professionals on cancer-related legal and practical issues. Through events, materials, and resources, Triage Cancer is dedicated to helping people move beyond diagnosis.

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