Individuals with Disabilities

Persons with disabilities can be appointed to federal jobs non-competitively through a process called Schedule A Hiring Authority and may also apply for jobs through the traditional or competitive process. The Schedule A appointing authority for people with certain disabilities, 5 CFR 213.3102(u), is an excepted service authority that agencies can use to appoint individuals, including veterans, who have a psychiatric, intellectual or severe physical disability.

Agencies can use this authority, at their discretion, to appoint you at any grade level and for any job (time-limited or permanent) for which you qualify. After two years of satisfactory service, the agency may convert you, without competition, to the competitive service.

There is no limit to the number of times you can apply under this authority. OPM encourages job-seeking veterans to seek consideration under all the hiring authorities for which they are eligible, in addition to claiming their preference under the competitive examining process (if applicable).

Schedule A Application Requirements:

An agency's vacancy announcement will generally inform you whether the agency intends to consider candidates under this authority. To be eligible, you must show proof of your disability in the form of a letter from a certifying official. Documentation may be from any licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. Territory to practice medicine), a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private), or any federal or state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. More information is available on the OPM website.

BPA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. A reasonable accommodation may be requested for any part of the application or hiring process. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things are customarily done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to:

• Apply for a job
• Perform job functions
• Ensure equal benefits and privileges of employment
  

Examples of accommodations include:

• Video Relay Services
• Assistive technology (e.g., screen readers, speech to text, magnification software)
• Sign language interpreters or captioning and transcription services
• Qualified Readers and orientation and mobility services
• Written materials in an alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print)

To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator who supports the BPA organization/location to which you are applying (as indicated on the job announcement).

• CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and provides sources for career exploration, training and jobs.
  
• OPM's Disability Employment provides additional information on federal employment for individuals with disabilities.
  
• Schedule A hiring process and ABCs of Schedule A  provides information about the employment of individuals with disabilities in the federal government, including eligibility from U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  
• Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private-sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.