Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

Administering Employment Tests

Many employers do testing as part of the hiring process. These tests should be used to measure the applicant’s abilities, not disabilities. If you intend on using such tests and wish to make them more accessible to applicants who are blind or visually impaired, openly discuss testing procedures with them so that they can make recommendations. Also, consider the following suggestions:

Provide a reader.

Appoint a company representative to read the test questions aloud to the applicants and to record their answers. Ensure that the recorder transcribes the applicant’s answers without editing or modifying them.

Enlarge it.

Test materials can be enlarged with the use of a copier.

Allow extra time.

Grant the applicant’s request for additional time to complete the test. This is a common and much appreciated testing accommodation for people with disabilities.

Use us!

Department of Services for the Blind can conduct several different types of tests. For example, we have administered tests to job seekers to determine their keyboarding speeds.

Ask us!

Department of Services for the Blind can provide consultation on how to administer tests with various accommodations.

Go back to Employer Handbook Table of Contents