Many people, no doubt, will have tried to attend a job interview only to be confronted by a barrier which puts an end to the idea before it has even started. As a fellow wheelchair user, being confronted by a flight of steps just to get into the building has been a common one to negotiate over the years. The stories below are historical, not to say hysterical, and discuss what can happen after one has successfully entered the building.
Many thanks for the story you shared on your attempt to gain an interview with the Kenyan Radio Broadcaster. A story which rings many bells in my head. It made me reflect on a couple of stories in my past when I have faced similar access issues.
1. The first was when I went for a job interview with a leading disability charity in Britain, all be it in the late 1980s. I arrived at the venue and found everything accessible, if a little old fashioned. To my surprise, however I found that the interview room was down a flight of 10 steps. I managed to negotiate the steps with my Helper assisting me, but as you can imagine I was not in the best mindset for the interview! This was before we had legislation on such matters in the UK, but nevertheless the whole affair has stuck in my mind. Particularly as the organisation is one that I had contact with since I was a very young child and still do today.
2. The second incident in 2008, was when I went for an interview in the UK. Everything was fine and I got into the interview room. Sadly, one of the interviewers had a very bad cough on the day, which did not work well with me also having a significant speech impediment. This was compounded by the fact that they put the whole interview under a stopwatch. I was having to stop and start regularly, which took up time that they would not consider for. I complained to the prospective employer and got a letter of apology. I was also advised to complain to, the then Disability Rights Commission, under the Disability Discrimination Act. However, I did not pursue this, as I did not feel that I was suited for the job. Nevertheless, I was very surprised by such treatment. The Chair of the interview panel could have at least asked the person with the cough to leave or at least allow the interview to stop until they felt better.
Reference: https://rizikisource.org/blog/my-disability-inspired-my-career-transition