Federal Aviation Administration is now hiring people with 'severe intellectual disabilities' as part of DEI program

Given the growing list of aviation issues we’ve seen in recent years, you’d think that the FAA, a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation, would put more emphasis on improving the safety of aircraft.

Unfortunately, however, the agency is more focused on its DEI program.

“A Japanese domestic flight was forced to turn back after a crack was found in the cockpit window, but, you know, why worry about that?” asks Glenn Beck sarcastically.

“The Federal Aviation Administration is now putting a priority on hiring people with severe intellectual disabilities as part of its diversity and inclusion initiative,” he explains.

According to faa.gov, “Individuals with targeted or 'severe' disabilities are the most under-represented segment of the Federal workforce. The People with Disabilities Program (PWD) ensures that people with disabilities have equal Federal employment opportunities. The FAA actively recruits, hires, promotes, retains, develops and advances people with disabilities.”

The website also explains what “targeted disabilities” entail: “Targeted disabilities are those disabilities that the Federal government, as a matter of policy, has identified for special emphasis in recruitment and hiring. They include hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability and dwarfism.”

“Do you want somebody who's up in the tower or making any decisions on planes … with a severe psychiatric disability or a severe intellectual disability?” asks Glenn in disbelief.

“I'm going to go with no,” answers Stu Burgiuere. “I want the person who's most qualified for the job regardless of their skin color or really any immutable characteristic.”

Of course, this is not to say that people with disabilities aren’t deserving of respect or shouldn’t be able to work, but rather that meritocracy is what’s best for all.

“Certain jobs have certain characteristics,” says Stu. “You, Glenn, aren't the best point guard for the Dallas Mavericks, right? It’s not because they hate you, it’s not because you’re being discriminated against; you just might not have the aerobic capacity for the gig.”

Laughing, Glenn agrees, adding that he “wouldn’t make a good pilot” either, as he’s “riddled with ADD.”

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