Swimming in the Mainstream

In California, we have adaptive technology at the One-Stop Career Centers. This technology is available to individuals who know how to utilize it. This does, in part, make the Career Center and it's programs somewhat accessable. However, if one needs extra assistance, that is another story. Though vary nice people, the staff at most of the Career Centers are vary busy and besides maybe pointing you in the right direction, they can't really help. If one goes to the orientation, and learns where things are in the facility, one can pick up paper work indicating new job listings, take the papers to the special cubicle, and use the scanner to read the text. If one can fill out an application on-line, you can do this with the available computer in said cubical.

There was a plan to place a person in the facility wo would specialize in helping person's with disabilities, but the funding for this position just couldn't be found, though the people had been trained.

I don't know how this works in other States, but in California, the options are:

1. Department Of Rehabilitation
2. Private programs
3. Net working and communnication with others
4. Other job programs, usually funded by the Federal Government

We all know that we have to use whatever is at our disposal to be viable in today's job market. Knowing as much technology as you can is a real plus. `

When I was unemployed during late 2002 through the middle of 2003, I availed myself of some of the services of my local One Stop center. The center in Mesa, Arizona had no assistive technology. The staff were extremely helpful, taking the time to assist me with the registration process and to inform me about the various workshops and the center's other available services. The center's staff assisted me to have the status of my unemployment insurance benefits switched to "approved training" so that I could attend classes at my local community college while continuing to receive the checks. Center staff did mention their plans to purchase JAWS and some other assistive technology as well as to have a staff person available to assist clients with disabilities. I am not certain what, if anything, came of these plans. I found some of the services, mainly the workshops, offered by my local One Stop center to be helpful, but the center was useful to me only because I have my stuff together. New job seekers with disabilities probably won't currently find One Stop centers to be a very useful resource until more assistive technology and appropriate personnel are added.

At this point, if you have no job experience or you otherwise need assistance with the prerequisites to obtaining employment, then you'll probably need to seek assistance from your vocational rehabilitation agency. Most private organizations in this field also require that you be a VR client, since that represents the source of most of their funding. I'd like to see the entire VR system overhauled by implementing a voucher program that enables much greater client choice. Once deemed eligible to receive VR services, the client could go to any authorized private organization to receive services directly, without the need to check first with their VR counselor.

I live in Tempe, Arizona, part of the Phoenix metro area. This area features both city bus and paratransit service. Light Rail is also in the works. Due to severe PTSD from a 1997 auto-pedestrian accident, I am largely unable to make use of the city bus system. I use the paratransit service, called East Valley Dial-A-Ride. Due to my inability to cross streets, I was able to receive what is known as ADA service.

I ride Dial-A-Ride to and from work. My shift is stable. When changes are needed, I am able to provide Dial-A-Ride with sufficient notice to arrange for transportation. I am very rarely late to work and, on the few occasions when it has happened, it hasn't been repeated in a very long time. I believe the reasons for the good service I receive on paratransit have a lot to do with my proactive advocacy efforts. I simply refuse to accept rudeness and unprofessionalism and I always insist on prompt resolution of all issues, escalating through the chain of command until proper action is ultimately taken.

So, what I am saying is that, if you are not able to ride the city bus, consider applying for and insisting on receiving ADA service with your city's paratransit provider. Then, set up reservations that allow a reasonable amount of time to get you to work, and absolutely insist on appropriate follow through.

Hi Darrell. I wish I was as lucky as you are with your ADA paratransit. Actually I have contacted a former co-worker from my volunteer job regarding her experiences with paratransit service. She uses a wheelchair due to spina bifida, and she takes paratransit out to a local community college. But we're playing phone tag right now. My past experience with the service was less than desirable, and I think it definitely could've been better. Despite my parents' and my attempts to remedy the situation with phone calls, letters, more phone calls and more letters, nothing ever changed. As a matter of fact it only got worse as time went on. Eventually things got so out of hand that my parents and I decided it would be better for me to take cabs and/or use the train. This I think was the right choice. I won't bore everyone with paratransit horror stories, but my parents and I were lied to on numerous occasions by paratransit personnel. Thank goodness for cell phones, even inaccessible ones I suppose. Mine actually did come in rather handy a number of times when I was either very late or dropped off at wrong locations. But I'm glad not to have to deal with paratransit now. Perhaps I will give some thought to using the service again, if my coworker friend has enough positive things to say about the service. I am happy to report, however, that ever since I gave up using paratransit, I've always gotten where I needed to go on time if not early. I am a very punctual person, and I don't take well at all to rides constantly being late.