Parker denies hiring discrimination

Parker Drilling Co. is asking a court to throw out a lawsuit alleging it discriminated against a vision-impaired job applicant in Alaska.

In September, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the company in Alaska federal court on behalf of Kevin McDowell.

The EEOC is an agency that enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The suit said Parker discriminated against McDowell in 2010 when it failed to hire him for a toolpusher position because of his disability — blindness in his left eye.

“Mr. McDowell is qualified for the position as he had previously performed all of the essential functions of similar jobs successfully and without any accommodation,” the suit said.

In an answer to the suit, lawyers for Parker deny the allegation that the company discriminated against McDowell.

The company says McDowell applied for a “driller” position, submitted to a physical exam, and was deemed “not to be medically qualified for the position.”

Parker is asking the court to dismiss the case.

—Wesley Loy