English requirement in ad, job description

Carolil

Our job descriptions from 1998 list as a job requirement "ability to read, write and speak English." I am updating these and wonder what the current thought is for including this, which is a legitimate requirement for every job at my company, a research organization. This is not an English-only requirement, so much of what I can find here so far doesn't apply. Are there any cautions for including this as a job requirement?

ACU Frank

Are there any jobs there that could be performed by someone who is blind, or mute?

Cheryl S SPHR

Good point, Frank! Perhaps the message is more like, "Abililty to communicate effectively." Someone who cannot speak English at all may not meet that requirement, but someone who uses sign language with an interpreter may very well.

Carolil

[QUOTE=ACU Frank;719561]Are there any jobs there that could be performed by someone who is blind, or mute?[/QUOTE]

That's a great question. My immediate answer is no, but upon more reflection each job would require an analysis of alternatives to communicating verbally, etc.

Point taken. Thanks.