Boeing Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Disability Discrimination Against Blind Job Applicant

John Ott, a 63-year-old blind man and former police officer, has sued aerospace giant Boeing for wrongful termination, disability discrimination, and retaliation. In September 2023, Ott received an offer to work as a machinist at Boeing's plant in Everett, Washington, but the job was later changed to composite fabricator. The lawsuit alleges that Boeing executives appeared 'offended' that Ott believed he could perform essential duties despite his blindness.

Ott has worked as a machinist at the Lighthouse for the Blind, a Seattle-based nonprofit, since 2014, producing parts for Boeing. He was diagnosed with bilateral retinitis pigmentosa in his 30s and uses assistive technology like blind-access software to perform his job duties.

Boeing officials initially expressed 'safety concerns' during a call with Ott, asking him to cite nearly 10 years of machinist experience without injury. The company then offered a start date of January 19, 2024, but the orientation process was marred by apparent resentment towards Ott's presence.

Ott proposed incorporating assistive technology into his role, but Boeing representatives suggested he had 'attempted to hide his blindness.' A doctor cleared Ott to work at Boeing in February 2024, but company officials told him that the composite fabricator role now required driving a vehicle, which was not previously mentioned.