For Persons with Disabilities:  Use ONLY when applying for
positions which are open to "STATUS" candidates, AND when the
announcement also allows ALL Federal employees in the area of
consideration to apply.  The use of this letter does not give
anyone "status".  One good source of "status" openings is in
commercial listings such as FEDERAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, which
many libraries subscribe to locally.

(The authority noted in the second paragraph below allows you to
apply under such "status" openings IF you have first established
eligibility for a non-competitive Federal appointment covering
persons with disabilities -- and you may seek such eligibility from
your State Vocational Rehabilitation or VA voc. rehab. office.)

MODEL LETTER:
                                             (YOUR ADDRESS)


(AGENCY ADDRESS 
FROM ANNOUNCEMENT)

DEAR Mr./Ms. _____________:

     I am applying for the position of ___(title)_________
at pay grade GS/WG _____,as advertised under ANNOUNCEMENT
NO. ______________________, which has a closing date 
of ___________________.

     This Federal position is announced as being open to "status"
candidates, but if there is no "freeze", you may consider my
application under the following provisions.

          Federal Personnel Manual, Chapter 335, 
          Subchapter One, Requirement No. 4

     Those provisions allow Federal officials the option to select
from an alternate list of persons with disabilities who are both
(1) qualified for the position, and (2) have been certified by
either a State vocational rehabilitation counselor or a VA
counselor as being covered by the physical disability or mentally
restored / mentally retarded guidelines.  Such appointments are in
the excepted service.

     You may wish to either consider me under the 700-hour "trial"
appointment, for which the prior certification is not needed if I
meet the minimum qualifications of the position, or to proceed
directly to the non-competitive "Schedule A" appointment after the
vocational rehabilitation letter is provided.

     Thank you for your consideration of this request.  I would
also appreciate it if you would keep a copy of my SF-171 in your
applicant supply file in case other opportunities for consideration
arise.
                                   Sincerely yours,