Bill Overview
Title: Dignity for People with Disabilities in the Foreign Service Act
Description: This bill replaces several references to handicapping condition with disability in the Foreign Service Act of 1980. For example, an existing provision requiring the Department of State to prescribe regulations to ensure that Foreign Service members and applicants are free from discrimination on the basis of a handicapping condition is amended to require regulations to ensure that Foreign Service members and individuals are free from discrimination on the basis of a disability.
Sponsors: Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
Target Audience
Population: People with disabilities in or applying to join the Foreign Service
Estimated Size: 5000
- The bill proposes changing language in the Foreign Service Act to be more inclusive and accurate in describing individuals with disabilities.
- The primary group affected by this change are individuals with disabilities who are either current or potential future members of the Foreign Service.
- These changes may encourage a more inclusive work environment and reduce potential discrimination based on outdated terminology.
Reasoning
- Given that the policy affects language in legislation to be more inclusive of individuals with disabilities in the Foreign Service, interviews will include people directly impacted and others indirectly aware of the change.
- The budget constraints limit providing direct services but facilitate administrative updates in the Department of State.
- Considering the population who might apply to the Foreign Service consists of various backgrounds and disabilities, this simulation assumes interviews with both those who are directly affected and some who are not.
- The observations focus on anticipated changes in their perceptions about potential discrimination, inclusivity, and accessibility.
Simulated Interviews
Foreign Service Officer (Washington, DC)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see the language updated to reflect dignity and respect.
- While it doesn't change day-to-day operations, it makes a difference in how policies are perceived.
- I hope it encourages more people with disabilities to consider the Foreign Service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Aspiring Foreign Service Officer (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Changing terminologies is a small but significant step towards more inclusive recruitment.
- I hope this marks the beginning of broader access and accommodation initiatives in the Service.
- I have faced subtle biases during pre-selection interviews.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
IT Consultant (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's necessary for legislation to evolve, especially for inclusivity.
- This update might encourage more friends with disabilities to apply.
- Personally, I might not see direct effects but know it's significant.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Senior Policy Analyst (Chicago, IL)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Language is powerful and this is a key step in aligning policy with inclusive practice.
- I will follow to see whether this results in substantive changes in recruitment or retention practices.
- There's optimism but tempered with caution as implementation details are sparse.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Foreign Service Officer (Boston, MA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an excellent move in the direction of inclusivity.
- I don't expect much to change in my work but I hope this enhances workplace culture.
- Friends within the service who identify as disabled have welcomed these updates.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Disability Rights Advocate (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This language change is a victory for disability advocacy and reflects a more modern understanding.
- I expect this might result in better representation of people with disabilities in federal roles.
- There are still many practical hurdles for our clients despite the positive optics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired Foreign Service Officer (Dallas, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a positive step but requires genuine follow-up actions to make a real difference.
- As someone who observed systemic gaps firsthand, these changes might take years to show tangible results.
- Being hopeful about new applicants receiving a better environment than what I faced.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Graduate student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Initially interested in joining the service and this policy makes me more comfortable applying.
- I have friends with disabilities who've often faced hurdles, policy changes seem promising.
- I hope these changes bring about real improvements in recruitment exams.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Government Affairs Consultant (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any initiative that aligns policy with modern perspectives on disability is commendable.
- It might take a decade to fully realize what this change embeds into Foreign Service culture.
- Observed slow policy adoption historically, hopeful for a quicker change though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Non-profit worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen outdated language used against applicants with disabilities.
- Changing this is crucial although only one part of broader systemic change needed.
- Hopes it inspires similar policy evaluations across other sectors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The cost estimates focus on minimal expenses related to changing descriptions and terminology; no substantial recurring costs are expected.
- The policy is primarily to ensure inclusivity by updating outdated language, thus its primary impact is social and cultural rather than economic.
- Improvements in workplace inclusivity can foster a supportive environment potentially leading to longer-term benefits.