Networking Forum

I think if one is realistic in one's job hunt you have to use all the experiences you have and combine them to find work .

I've worked with voc rehab and unfortunately in my younger years , late teens , early 20s , they did indeed try to niche me . At that time it was social workers, all disabled people of certain age and academic level were encouraged to be social workers. I didn't drive so I didn't want to go into social work, my sister in law was a social welfare worker, she had to drive all over the country visiting clients .

So I studied for an education degree ( the voc rehab people weren't real helpful or encouraging in that endeavour)with a side view to journalism and perhaps politics or law. Having met Ted Koppel of ABC and Gary Axlerod of CBS , at the State Department where my aunt worked , I followed their advice to not study journalism per se but take a liberal arts degree learning a little about everything. It gave me good stead for my future work.

My experience having a disability got me a bi weekly column for the local weekly newpaper. Then I moved up to freelancing , which I've done for 27 years now on every subject you can think of , including my own columns.

It also helped in gaining my teaching positions and working as a tutor with special ed children and adults.

And later my education degree, journalism work and experiences with the disabiled helped me when I worked in designing curriculums for two local museums and in co-ordinating programs for seniors and disabled person at meals on wheels.

I can't imagine limiting myself to just one area, or one type of job as my voc rehab counsellors advised me to do thirty years ago, I would have missed out on so many wonderful and not so wonderful experiences, that have made me who I am and what I believe in.

The thing about applying for jobs is not just the qualifications you hold or the benefits you bring to a company. But it's also about the "passion" and "enthusiasm" you exhibit and have for the work you do-whether it's the CEO or a data entry clerk, teacher , garbage person or volunteer. I know those are the things that help you find work, along with your degree and volunteer experiences and extra curricular experiences.

I heard Randy Taylor of Taylor Media say today on the "ON the Line" tv program , that you can work at a job and make money but if you work on yourself as hard as you work at your job you'll create a fortune. www.taylormedia.com

I also think this Tom Brokaw quote that was given to me recently says it all." Anyone can make a buck . It's alot harder to make a difference ."

Isn't that ultimately what we all want to do, disabled or not disabled , to make a difference in the world ? And we all possess the skils , the enthusiasm and the passion to do it too.

-In my nearly 30 year Employment History, it has clearly been a mix of those options identified. Obviously, in my present position with a non-profit under contract to a State Disability Agency, the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) related to disability are critical as it relates to my responsibilities. Primary duties are focused on gaining employment opportunities/access for clients in heretofore areas not having a long history of disability employment. For those knowing my Professional History, my previous position, (2002-2007) too benefitted from KSA's in the field of disability. As an academic(1991-2006) , there was no necessity to incorporate disability into daily activities. The position relied solely on the knowledge base in Public Administration, Leadership and Training Styles to meet the diverse needs of a suburban/urban student population.

-In all cases, I did not rely on a State VR agency nor, non-profit/contract entity to aide in employment. My focus has always been to compete directly with those who have the same KSA's I possess and, do what is critical to meet the challenges that may arise from disability. It has been through this strategy I have come to realize satisfaction, financial security and, recognition for my abilities.

-As a side note, I am presently participating in the ESight On-Line Seminar which began 3/12. Why? Lifelong learning is a critical component of success. While I am satisified in my present position, one never knows when an opportunity wil arise and, one need be prepared because of the ever changing environment of the employment process.

-Throughout my Career, I have observed the "cookie cutter" approach to the placement of individuals with disabilities into employment. Remember, the approach is safe, less time consuming and, at some level does have results. We need remember whether it be a State agency, non-profit or contracted services, someone is controlling the purse. Funding is only continued to these entities when they produce, i.e. place individuals with disabilities into employment. This does not mean the "ideal" or "perfect" position, it means work to satisify the funding requirements set forth by the funding source.

We might want to cnsider changing the mindset of society at larg by replacing the word " disabled" to Differently Abled. Differently abled says there are those who accomplish things differntly than the majority but it gets done. Subconsciously the term disabled is looked at as if a person "Can't Do" and then your pointed to the social security office or a minimum paying jobs. That's not always the case but most of the time it is. Most of us are Differently Abled not disabled.

Hi, differently abled could mean anyone able bodied or disabled who does things differently. It's like physically challenged, I know a lot of non disabled people who are klutzes, they definitely qualify for physically challenged.

Perhaps we should call ourselves by what our disability is , like the new Governor of NY I'm legally blind, or visually impaired,however, that often throws people off because I don't use a white cane or a guide dog so therefore I can't really be blind, I must be faking it to get my ontario disability support cheque.

That's why words and how they are used pertaining to persons with impairment are important.

Oh and I don't think it's the term disabled that gives the image of learned helplessness and lack of dignity, that word is the word handicapped.

I have worked for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) since 2005 as an IT Specialist, and my work is not disability related in any way, shape or form. I work in an acquisition program which is replacing legacy command and control systems. As such, we are changing how the DoD does software development and associated processes. my job rquires me to coordinate interaction amoungst organizational entities and negotiate agreements between said organizations with respect to IT. I am the project lead for standing up a virtual help desk for the soldier/warfighter. As such, this has taken me into the field of Knowledge Management. On top of all of that, I am part of a three year program that trains new government employees to for leadership and management positions. I would say that I have taken the general attributes and the skills which I have learned associated with being totally blind and apply them to my job: problem solving, advocacy and negotiating. Before coming to DISA, I worked at the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, and that was my first full-time job. While there, I began developing my skills, but I always knew that I wouldn't be working there forever. Granted, I can appreciate the fact that I didn't have to deal with colleagues questioning my abilities or thinking that I was amazing becuase I was blind. Even so, I made a conscious decision to get out of blindness related jobs. Up until DISA, I had always worked in the field of blindness specifically, access technology.

I think that it would be imprudent of one to consider their disability as being irrelevant when searching for a job. During my interview for DISA, one of the first things I did was talk about my blindness and how I would perform job tasks at DISA such as email, powerpoint, and word processing. I talked about how I would travel (my current job requires travel to conferences, and field sites around the world), and explained that I am capable of independent travel. Over the course of three years, I have had 2 different supervisors, and each boss has given me positive performance appraisals. My supervisor give me assignments which fellow teammates are unable to complete. I have been recognized for the quality of my work via cash awards. In short, it is possible for a disabled to compete in non disability related fields. However, it requires allot of patience, motivation, and confidence on the part of the individual. Everyday, ppl will question your ability--that comes with the territory--but, one must learn to handle these situations with diplomacy.

Timely topic. When a disability is visible one must compete in a lop sided field. Yet, the fact that the field is lop sided is an incentive to keep moving. Tell me what you think I cannot do and watch how I do it. I am not here to inspire but rather to educate myself on how far I can go. I am here to make a contribution with my unique gifts in the way that I am able. I am able to do many things but finding the environment which will allow me to make that contribution is a process. If the world understood, none of this would be necessary so we have an opportunity to educate the world and tell the stories of success, accomplishment and marvels. The people with disabilities need to stand up and speak out. Life is a challenge for each person whether they have a disability or not. Are you competent, confident and skilled in your area of employment? IF so, get on the game and do what you do. People with disabilities adapt to change much quicker than most because we live with change. It is this adaptability, flexibility and persistence which makes us excellent candidates for employment. It is time to move the needle significantly and I agree with Elaine's comments but the past is not the present nor does it tell us how the future will be if we decide to make changes.

Timely topic. When a disability is visible one must compete in a lop sided field. Yet, the fact that the field is lop sided is an incentive to keep moving. Tell me what you think I cannot do and watch how I do it. I am not here to inspire but rather to educate myself on how far I can go. I am here to make a contribution with my unique gifts in the way that I am able. I am able to do many things but finding the environment which will allow me to make that contribution is a process. If the world understood, none of this would be necessary so we have an opportunity to educate the world and tell the stories of success, accomplishment and marvels. The people with disabilities need to stand up and speak out. Life is a challenge for each person whether they have a disability or not. Are you competent, confident and skilled in your area of employment? IF so, get on the game and do what you do. People with disabilities adapt to change much quicker than most because we live with change. It is this adaptability, flexibility and persistence which makes us excellent candidates for employment. It is time to move the needle significantly and I agree with Elaine's comments but the past is not the present nor does it tell us how the future will be if we decide to make changes.

Since I initially posted to this "thread", I've read some interesting viewpoints. There is a commonality among all those who have responded, i.e. the sense of self; the focus on what is achievable; the determination to achieve and, the willingness to do what is critically necessary. These and other personal characteristics unique to each of us makes possible what others believe should be left to the public/private or non-profit VR agencies.

All very interesting viewpoints. I have a question.., as we all have experienced, I am sure, people like to say how we "can't" do something. I think that people imagine themselves visually impaired or blind, and then imagine how they "couldn't" do it. Thus, we are then told how we can't do something. I experience this in my everyday life, with everyhing I do. Any advice on how to explain to people that we are different, they would be too, once accustomed to the eysight issue? I figure that if I can get this through to my friends, family and neighbors, I might be able to approach it better in the employment would.

oops! employment world. not would!

oops! employment world. not would!

I would like to know where do I go to apply for work at home jobs I am needed of a job so I can better life it is very hard for me to gt out in public and work I am in a motoreize chair and I have no way to carry it so can you give me some tips I have a van but I don;t have a left to to carry my chair and I can afford the left so that why I looking for work to do at home so please if you can help me please do. Thank You for your time. Thank You Wanda

I think as persons with disabilities we've all been there Julie. A lot of other people's reactions are fear based as they can't imagine going about working or having a regular life with any kind of disability whether visible or not. Most of the time it's lack of information or myths around disability that stops people from getting it or understanding it.

As Barney said and I'm paraphrasing here we often just have to go out and do it ourselves to show people we're capable. A large Canadian university said two weeks before I was due to graduate, not because I had poor grades, but the faculty of ed decided no board of education would ever hire a blind person.

Well surprise surprise, after two years of fighting for my degree under the auspices of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, by volunteering in two different schools, literally subbing for free, then redoing my final practicum at another university's faculty of ed, I got my B.Ed and my Ontario Teacher's Certificate and worked for both of my local school boards as a sub as well as moving 2000 miles away 25 years ago to prove I could teach thank you very much. Didn't know a soul where I moved to , there was no transportation , no support network but I taught special ed for a year until I knew there was something available on the sub list back in Ontario. This was a long time ago and many young disabled people can't believe it or just shake their heads, disabled students and employees have come a fair part of the way , but not all the way.

And today there's more adaptive technology, I didn't even have a home computer let alone one in my classroom. I prepared all the lessons by hand, there weren't the workbooks and lesson plans available then that there are today.

So go out and "just do it" as a famous running shoe company says on their logo. Break down the barriers for yourself, your friends and your family and society. As a certain candidate for president in the US says " YES WE CAN!"

I think the key here is not relying on VR agencies, and owning up to our disabilities. I definitely think I'm a lot more capable than my state VR people for the most part saw me out to be. I've heard time and time again that if we want successful employment, then we need to go through our respective state VR agencies. This may actually be true for some people, and more power to those to whom it applies. But I've held a few different jobs now and VR did not get me any of them. In fact I'd have to say that the VR counselors were minimally involved in the latter part, and they weren't at all involved when I was in high school. When I was in high school I worked parttime as a transcriptionist, transcribing segments about my high school's early days and also transcribing talk shows from the school's FM radio station. In the summer of 1999 I was hired as a receptionist at a nonprofit organization. A long-time friend of mine played a key role in getting me on board there. Not long after that I transcribed a book for a friend of mine who is a Holocaust survivor, and I was paid by him. I did this from home. I am now an administrative assistant at another nonprofit organization, and I telecommute for one of the area senior centers. The senior center job is volunteer, not a paid position. I've been rather nonproductive on that job lately though, due to email/Internet issues. My supervisor has been made aware of this and she is being very understanding. But nevertheless, I really like these two jobs even if they're not fulltime. I didn't even have an interview at the previous nonprofit where I worked, presumably because my friend was on staff there and he therefore knew what I could and couldn't do. As for my current job outside of the home, I did have an interview and it was my first. I felt relatively good about it too, and I received positive feedback upon completion of the interview. The main ingredient in getting all these jobs was networking. I think networking is definitely a good thing.

At one point I was in a summer program for people with disabilities to work on job skills, but that program didn't last long due to lack of funding. But I held two "internships" while there. Actually I started out as a bun toaster at a local Wendy's restaurant, but due to the location of things I was moved to a different work site. The French fry machine was very close to the toaster, and everyone was afraid I'd get burned. Ironically, management moved some things around, and my brother was hired as a bun toaster not long after I left that position. The other two "internships" I held were at a film recycling plant, and backstage working with a sound technician at several Chicago area performances of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dream Coat." I did get to meet Mr. Donny Osmond though, star of stage and screen. That was indeed very cool. He also personally gave me an autograph, which I have buried somewhere amongst my piles of junk from various moves. I agree too that those of us with disabilities don't always need to work in the disability field per se. It might be easier, but it certainly does limit our options. That's why the so-called VR professionals need to start thinking outside the box! To paraphrase something that I've often read that is said by the National Federation of the Blind, we as people who are blind know best what we can do. And yes, this is one area in which I do agree with that group. I'd add that we who are blind or visually-impaired also know best what we cannot do. Like I said before, there's nothing to be ashamed of there.