People with Disabilities

A disability should never stop you from serving your country. At FEMA, we value our employees not only for their diversity but the unique experiences, expertise, skills and abilities they bring to our organization and the customers that we serve. Put your abilities to work for us.

Hiring people with disabilities into federal jobs is fast and easy. People with disabilities can be appointed to federal jobs non-competitively through a process called Schedule A. People with disabilities may also apply for jobs through the traditional or competitive process.

Schedule A Hiring Authority

Schedule A is a special (excepted service) hiring authority for persons with disabilities. While being eligible for a Schedule A appointment will help you in the non-competitive process, it will not guarantee you a job 

You may be subject to a probationary period that can last up to two years, depending on the type of appointment. During probation, employees hired under the Schedule A are held to the same performance standards as all other employees.

Proving Eligibility

You are eligible for Schedule A if you are a person with a severe physical disability, a psychiatric disability, or an intellectual disability. To prove your eligibility to be appointed to a federal job under Schedule A, you must:

View a Sample "Schedule A" Letter

Interview Process

FEMA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants to provide full access to the application process on a case-by-case basis. During the interview process, the hiring official should ask you questions about your job qualifications and how you would perform the essential functions of the job. You are encouraged to present your qualifications in a positive manner which emphasizes abilities and assets. Sometimes an applicant will choose to anticipate and address job related questions about ways his or her disability may affect performance of critical duties, roles, and responsibilities of the job.

Keep in mind that hiring officials are prohibited from asking questions about your disability unless the questions are related to functioning on the job and consistent with the business needs of the position. To review the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's guidance about questions, agencies can ask about an applicant's disability. Please see the "Enforcement Guidance: Pre-employment Disability-Related Questions and Medical Examinations."

Questions?