Using Schedule A to Hire Candidates with Disabilities

Purpose

This Order establishes guidelines for hiring candidates with disabilities using Schedule A of Title 5, Excepted Service at the General Services Administration (GSA). When provisions of this guidance differ from changes in applicable law or regulation, the changes in law or regulation apply.

Background

This guidance covers only Schedule A positions filled under the excepted service authority, 5 CFR 213.3102(u), regarding persons with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities (hereinafter “Persons with Disabilities” or ‘Schedule A’). This directive incorporates information from 

• Applicable statutes (e.g., 5 U.S.C. 3302), 
• Regulations (5 CFR 3.1, 5 CFR 213.3102(u) and 5 CFR Parts 302 and 315), 
• Executive Order (E.O.) 12125, Competitive Status for Handicapped Federal Employees (March 15, 1979), 
• E.O. 13124, Amending the Civil Service Rules Relating to Employees With Psychiatric Disabilities (June 4, 1999), 
• E.O. 13548, Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (July 26, 2010), and 
• E.O. 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (January 25, 2021).