The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2023

48 JULY-AUGUST 2023 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL BEFORE MEYER, ET AL. V. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE A 1996 ACCESSIBILITY MILESTONE Paul M. Carter Jr., Ph.D., is a Senior Foreign Service officer and currently serves as the diplomatic adviser to General Paul M. Nakasone, commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Secu- rity Agency. Carter's career has primarily focused on Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union, and his most recent overseas assignment was as consul general in Yekaterinburg (2017-2019). Other postings included Poland, Russia, Greece, and Sri Lanka. Domestically, he has served on the Poland, Russia, and Ukraine desks, as senior adviser to the Helsinki Commission, as a senior fellow at the U.S. Institute for Peace, and as director of U.S. operations of the Afghan relocation efforts, among other assignments. A senior FSO opens up about the legal effort to gain consideration for members of the FS and their families with medical conditions. BY PAUL M . CARTER J R . O n Jan. 17, 2023, the Department of State announced an agreement to settle the long-running Meyer, et al. v. U.S. Department of State class- action case concerning applicants to the Foreign Service with medical conditions. Under the settlement, the department will, among other things, cease requiring that appli- cants receive Class 1 medical clearances as a condition for hiring and broaden the concept of “worldwide availability” to accom- modate candidates with medical conditions. As we mark this milestone in the department’s observance of legal obligations and diversity principles, I would like to share my family’s case frommore than a quarter century ago. Although not previously publicized, it was significant for the evolution of the State Department’s attitude toward people with disabilities and medical issues. FOCUS DEIA: FOUNDATIONS FOR PROGRESS