I feel like I have been discriminated against because of a disability. What should I do?

Question:  I feel like I have been discriminated against over the years due to a
physical disability when seeking employment. I am legally blind -
20/600 visual acuity - I can not drive a car or read normal type without
magnification. I hold a MS in Computer Science from VA Tech, worked for
IBM as a software engineer for 15 years and have been employed with
Tekelec for the last 9 years. Over the past 12 to 14 years I have
interviewed five or so times with Cisco and never been offerred a job
that I felt was commenserate with my qualifications or matched job
offers given to sighted peers (i.e. friends and co-workers). I am 53
years old now and have applied for two positions at Network Appliance -
again no job offer.

Is there any way I can find out more specific reasons that two companies
I feel that I am well qualified to work for do not want to offer me a
job ? I personally believe it is due to my visual disability - I don't
fit their model employee (young and aggressive).

Answer: If you believe you have been discriminated against because of your limitations, that may be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act - you should contact the EEOC in order to have them investigate your case. They are located at 1309 Annapolis Drive, Raleigh NC 27608, their phone number is 1-800-669-4000. You must contact them within 180 days of the discriminatory act, therefore do not delay.