Railroad Jobs for people with Asperger's Syndrome

[kyleodonnell97]

Hello everybody,

Can people who have Asperger's Syndrome get a railroad job even if they take the medication for it? I'm only asking because I've been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome since I was 2, and I still feel confident that I would get a railroad job someday. I just wanna make sure that the railroads are not prohibiting people with Asperger's Syndrome from working on the railroad.

 

[Bill Anderson]

If you live in the US, make yourself familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 regardless of what kind of employment you decide to pursue.
https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/history/35th/1990s/ada.html

 

[kyleodonnell97]

Thank you Bill. But I still need more information from other people on how railroads feel about hiring people with Asperger's Syndrome.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Thank you Bill. But I still need more information from other people on how railroads feel about hiring people with Asperger's Syndrome.

Probably the lawyer in me, but my point in posting a link to the AD Act is that regardless of how a railroad (or any other employer) may "feel" about hiring someone with a disability, that company must comply with the law.

My 30 year old son is developmentally disabled. Through his Special Ed classes and Special Olympics, I have met many people with disabilities over the past 25+ years including some with Asperger's Syndrome, such as his best friend in middle school. I know how difficult it is for many of them to gain employment, so I don't want to see an employer illegally discriminate against someone with a disability that falls with the AD Act.

 

[kyleodonnell97]

What does your son do for a job? Does he work for the railroad industry? If so, what railroad does he work for and what does he do?

 

[Bill Anderson]

What does your son do for a job? Does he work for the railroad industry? If so, what railroad does he work for and what does he do?

My son is unemployed and lives at home. He worked at a McDonald's for a year, but his disabilities become such that I doubt he can work again.

 

[kyleodonnell97]

I'm very sorry to hear about that. Do you know anybody who has Asperger Syndrome and works for the railroad industry?

 

[Bill Anderson]

I'm very sorry to hear about that. Do you know anybody who has Asperger Syndrome and works for the railroad industry?

No I don't. My advice is to complete your education and then cross this bridge when you come to it. You had initially said you were going to study diesel mechanics at a two year academic institute. That skill and certification should open up job opportunities in fields other than just railroading.

 

[kyleodonnell97]

I was also thinking about working for Caterpillar or John Deere if the railroad industry doesn't work out for me.

 

[kyleodonnell97]

Thank you for your answers Bill. I just wanna make sure that railroads don't discriminate against someone from working on the railroad just because they have Asperger's Syndrome or because of any other type of learning disabilities and special needs. Since physical clumsiness is factor of Asperger's Syndrome, even though I don't have a problem with lifting weights.