The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is facing criticism for its diversity hiring initiative, which actively recruits individuals with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.
Critics argue that the initiative may compromise air travel safety, emphasizing the importance of hiring based on qualifications and safety considerations.
The FAA defends its initiative, stating that it thoroughly seeks and vets qualified candidates for various positions. (Trending: Trump Prosecutor Accused Of Playing Race Card In Public Address)
Uh, #FAA can you be more specific? #DEI @PeteButtigieg #InclusionTakenTooFar ? #AirlineSafety #TransportationSafety pic.twitter.com/cOeSu1NOUd
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) January 15, 2024
Rep. Jeff Van Drew said, “All I ask is that the FAA hire individuals based on who is most qualified for the position and who will best protect our airspace, ensuring that we are all safe.”
“That is the job of the FAA; it is not their job to be politically correct,” he continued.
“Individuals with targeted or ‘severe’ disabilities are the most under-represented segment of the Federal workforce,” notes the FAA.
“Targeted disabilities are those disabilities that the Federal government, as a matter of policy, has identified for special emphasis in recruitment and hiring,” states the agency’s website.
“They include hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability and dwarfism,” the agency explains.
The Cleveland Clinic defines severe intellectual disability as: “People with severe intellectual disability have an average mental age of between 3 and 6 years. They use single words, phrases and/or gestures to communicate. They benefit from daily care and support with activities and daily life.”
The FAA claims, “The FAA employs tens of thousands of people for a wide range of positions, from administrative roles to oversight and execution of critical safety functions. Like many large employers, the agency proactively seeks qualified candidates from as many sources as possible, all of whom must meet rigorous qualifications that of course will vary by position.”
Elon Musk wrote, “Just had a conversation with some smart people could not believe this is happening.”
“Libs of TikTok” commented, “People with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities will be in charge of your air travel because of diversity quotas. DEI will get people killed.”
“Compassion is one thing, common sense another. At 35,000 feet, I’ll opt for common sense,” wrote the actor James Woods.
However, critics, including tech billionaire Elon Musk and actor James Woods, express concerns about the potential impact on safety.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, chair of Do No Harm, highlighted the responsibility of the aviation industry to prioritize traveler safety, cautioning against lowering standards for entry into the field.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb said, “The aviation industry has a responsibility for traveler safety just as the health care industry has a responsibility for patient safety. These responsibilities outweigh other factors when considering applicants to work in those fields. People with disabilities who can successfully complete the task should never face discrimination.”
“Unfortunately,” said Goldfarb.
Identity politics is “creating opportunities for so-called oppressed groups by lowering standards for entry into those fields and thereby endangering the safety of those which it’s designed to serve. Some endeavors simply do not lend themselves to identity politics,” he continued.
“Do you want to fly in an airplane where they prioritized DEI hiring over your safety?” wrote Musk on X.
“That is actually happening,” he added.
The initiative has sparked debate over the balance between diversity initiatives and safety in critical industries.
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