Unfortunately, I have seen very few programming jobs where the programmer JUST ?writes code."
Being a programmer implies (in my mind anyway) that you must be able to understand requirements. This usually requires interaction with a project manager, others on the project team, and often the customer. A programmer must usually interact with other project members to fit his piece of the puzzle with their pieces of the puzzle to make create a product. Fixing problems or modifying the product to meet changing requirements usually requires further interaction.
In a perfect world, you might be able to write such an individual an email laying out the project, place the individual in a sterile environment and just let him do his thing ("writing good code"). Very rarely do you find a perfect world. Almost all jobs require at least a modicum of communication and interaction with others. If that is where an individual?s primary problem lies, then he is facing a HUGE uphill battle in ANY work environment.
Don't get me wrong. I am definitely all for putting the handicapped (mentally or physically) to work when possible. If an individual is physically and mentally capable of meeting all job requirements, then whatever challenges that individual DOES have shouldn't preclude them from getting the job.
In a different economic climate then presently exists, an employer might even be willing to go the extra yard to allow for added challenges that exist as in your situation. But since the present economic climate is likely to cause most business to find ways to tighten the fiscal belts, individuals that can't meet ALL job requirements (which usually includes communications and interaction with others) are at great risk of losing their jobs. It greatly depends an company management's willingness to create an environment to best suit such an individual's needs.
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