Employment Testing of Persons with Diasabling Conditions - IPAC
Employment Testing of Persons with Diasabling Conditions - IPAC
Employment Testing of Persons with Diasabling Conditions - IPAC
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Section 4 - DiBoussion Fra» A Consuaer's Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Perspective<br />
By Lome Daley<br />
It seems that pr<strong>of</strong>essionals in the personnel field in the United States<br />
have made significant inroads on the problem <strong>of</strong> test acconmodation for<br />
disabled persons. We are also looking at this issue in Canada, the foregoing<br />
sections by Dr. Nester and Messrs. Schneider, Dollard and Kraft indicate that<br />
a great deal <strong>of</strong> work and thought has been done on this topic. However, I feel<br />
that work in this area is still In its infancy, and further study and develop<br />
ment are required. The fact that people are looking at this area is, however,<br />
very<br />
encouraging.<br />
I appreciate the opportunity to take part in this dialogue since it<br />
concerns an area which is very important to disabled persons. Being in the<br />
personnel and employment equity field myself, I can relate to the time, effort<br />
and resources required to make these acccmnodations. Cn the other hand, as a<br />
consumer, I can well understand and appreciate the need <strong>of</strong> disabled persons to<br />
be equally evaluated and compared to their non-disabled peers in a fair,<br />
sensitive and responsible manner.<br />
ACCCmCCATICtS,<br />
AEFHXKIAmnSS AND VALIDITY<br />
The acconmDdations proposed in the earlier sections and in the Appendix<br />
only skim the surface. Tbere is a need for further study in the area <strong>of</strong> test<br />
accommodations for disabled persona, particularly where the modified tests<br />
have not been validated for the disabled population for whom they are<br />
intended. Validating the tests is and will continue to be a problem in itself<br />
until norms and standards <strong>of</strong> performance related to each disability or<br />
disability-combination can be established. TTiere are numerous categories <strong>of</strong><br />
disability, and <strong>with</strong>in each category there are a variety <strong>of</strong> functioning levels<br />
which vary not only from individual to individual, but also from day to day in<br />
some cases (e.g., visual acuity in a visually disabled diabetic). Therefore,<br />
in order to set standards, we have to know what the typical performance is for<br />
a group <strong>of</strong> disabled people <strong>with</strong> similar disabilities and similar functioning<br />
levels.<br />
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