I certainly appreciate everyon's replies and understand what the reasoning is. I am just particularly sensitive to disabled people since that is who I work with and those are the people whose lives I am trying to make better.

I can agree 100% that not allowing disabled people is more PRACTICAL. But is it fair? It would be more pratical to not have wheelchair ramps (after all, they need to be really long to achieve just a short height, only a few people use them, and you need lots of space to build one and not to mention they cost more money). But it's not fair. So employers are not only encouraged to, but they are required by law to make appropriate accommodations for disabled people. As much as I shed my doubts on US Law, in this particular case I think the law got it just right.

I know I have no authority in this matter, but if it were up to me, I would mandate that if a disabled person WANTS TO be part of this important task, AND they can demonstrate that they can perform all 3 parts of it, then they should be allowed to. It's simply unfair to tell someone who had retinoblastoma (a cancer of the back part of the eye) who had to have one eye removed that they cannot be part of this because they need to keep "both eyes" on the amrit - through no fault of their own, they simply do not have both eyes.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/general-discussion/29578-disabled-people-and-reht-maryada.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29578

Narayanjot Kaur Ji - I LOVE your quote: "Nonetheless -- in this day and age it is very hard to accept the idea that a disabled person is not "whole" enough."

I agree 100%. Disabled people are the exact same as we are, so if they can perform a task adequately (like the pilot with no arms), then let them do it. I don't care if it's not practical - it's more fair to go case by case and see if someone who wants to be involved can do the job right.

Life is not always about being practical, it's about doing the right thing. I know what you are saying but having worked intimately with disabled people and seeing all they are capable of (a lot of them are more able-bodied than I am), I can never accept this rule.