Reasonable Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities


July 31, 2009

The FBI is looking for the best and brightest people, and with more than 30,000 employees, not everyone is a special agent.


Audio Transcript

Mr. Schiff: The FBI is looking for the best and brightest people, and with more than 30,000 employees, not everyone is a special agent.

Mr. Gerlach: “About two-thirds of those people are what are considered professional support staff. So those are people that don’t carry guns and don’t carry badges.”

Mr. Schiff: That’s Mike Gerlach, an IT specialist who has a vision impairment and says even if you have a disability, you can apply to work at the FBI.

Mr. Gerlach: “Oh absolutely. As a matter of fact they are encouraged to do so. The fact that just because you do have a disability doesn’t mean that you can’t do the job.”

Mr. Schiff: Gerlach has worked at FBI Headquarters and several field offices and says reasonable accommodations are provided for persons with disabilities.

Mr. Gerlach: “If you apply and you get the job within the FBI, then the FBI will supply you with the tools to do your job.”

Mr. Schiff: There are jobs at the FBI for you. Go to www.fbijobs.gov and make application. I’m Neal Schiff of the Bureau, and that’s what’s happening at the “FBI, This Week.”

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