CUSTOM ALTERATIONS: TAILORING JOB READINESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES Leah Rudy, LSW Hayley Stokar, LSW

PRESENTERS: Leah Rudy, LSW--Youth and Disability work at JVS Hayley Stokar, LSW--Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Services at JVS Current Service Structure: assessment, job readiness, placement, follow-up, closure GROUP MEMBERS: Members of the disability community? Working with youth? Working with people with disabilities? Other professional cross-sections?

WHAT IS JOB READINESS? Preparing an individuals for the world of work. Discussing job opportunities and realistic jobs. It is important to discuss appropriate work behavior, getting to work on time, dressing appropriately and meeting the needs of the employer. (2013, 10 8). Retrieved from

COMPONENTS OF JOB READINESS -Documents (resume, cover letter, references, cards) -Appearance (hygiene, attire, body language) - Rehearsal (behaviors, consistency, interview responses) - Transportation (planning, reserving, fare cards, dry runs, backup) (Stokar and Rudy, 2013)

DISABILITIES SUB-SETS (not a comprehensive list! People are unique and do not fit nicely into boxes) INTELLECTUAL/COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENTAL MENTAL ILLNESS PHYSICAL/MOBILITY DEAF/HARD OF HEARING BLIND/VISUALLY IMPAIRED CO-OCCURRING/MULTIPLE DISABILITIES

Definition of Intellectual Disability: A disability that involves a significant limitations with both intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors (“Accommodation and compliance,” 2013) On the Job Accommodations: Reader or writer when filling out forms or applications Assistance with Time Management Job Coach Accommodation and compliance series, employees with intellectual or cognitive disabilities. (2013, 03 07). Retrieved from INTELLECTUAL/COGNITIVE DISABILITIES

PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY (SPECTRUM) Explanation of systems and social expectations Schedules & Protocols Strategies for Communication (verbal vs. written) Environmental & Sensory Management (reasonable accommodation) “job-site training, the assumed best practice for teaching vocational skills, is likely to be more effective if supplemented with simulation training” Lattimore, L.P., Parsons, M.B., & Reid, D.H. (2006) Enhancing job-site training of supported workers with autism: A reemphasis on simulation. Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis. 39(1),

Definition of Mental Illness: A medical condition that disturbs a person’s thinking, feeling, mood and/or ability to relate to others. ("National alliance on," 2007) On the Job Accommodations: Medication compliance Emotional Support Work schedule and time restraints National alliance on mental illinios. (2007, 01 01). Retrieved from ate=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=53155 Loy, B. (2007, 03 07). Accommodation and compliance series: employees with mental health impairments. Retrieved from MENTAL ILLNESS

PHYSICAL/MOBILITY Reading job description wording carefully (essential v. non-essential) Planning transportation – Para-transit Requesting reasonable Accommodations/Environmental Modification Designating support networks When using service animals: legalities and benefits Veterans and civilians with recently acquired physical disability

Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Communication styles English comprehension assessment American Sign Language--Interpreters Formality levels: hearing vs. deaf culture Technology: Videophone, FM loops, IM/ , C.A.R.T. Self-advocacy- ADA, general habits of marginalization

Difference between Blind and Low Vision: Low vision is a medical term used to describe visual impairments that cannot be corrected by glasses or contacts. (Massof, 2006) Blindness might also refer to a person with no vision. On the Job Accommodations: Differing accommodation between no vision and low vision Assistive Technologies: Magnifier, Photo copier with enlarged paper materials, JAWS software Navigational aids: Cane or service animals Massof, R. (2006, 11). Low vision and blindness: Changing perspective and increasing success. Retrieved fromhttps://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm06/bm0610/bm htm Loy, B. (2013, 03 26). Accodmmodation and compliance series: employee with vision impairments. Retrieved from BLIND/LOW VISION

MULTIPLE/CO-OCCURRING DISABILITIES

TAKING IT TO THE GROUP: WHAT EXPERIENCES HAVE PEOPLE HAD WITH JOB READINESS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

ONLINE RESOURCES Americans with Disabilities Act Equal Employment Opportunity Commission National Association of the Deaf Autism Speaks National Federation of the Blind American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) Screen Reader

QUESTION AND ANSWER Hayley Stokar: Leah Rudy: