[humanser] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #149- Framing Blindness

Wed Sep 16 17:31:47 UTC 2009

Hey Jonathan, I know how you feel. I encounter the same issues with not 
being able to drive which is a requirement for majority of the counseling 
jobs out there. It discourages me a little that you are having so much 
difficulty finding employment and that's with 6 years of experience. I have 
only a year of internship. I've been looking for 2 years now. I have 
realized it's not what you know but, who you know that will get you in to 
jobs. Some of the counseling positions I would recommend for you to consider 
are college academic counselor, state agency rehab counselor or maybe 
private practice you know something where you can sit in a nice cozy office. 
As for me, since I don't have much experience I'm looking to do more free 
work and meet new people in high places. I'll win them with my charm and 
hopefully that will get me a job. Please if anyone has any other suggestions 
for me, Jonathan and others encountering these same obstacles let us know. 
As for the thought provoker It's an excellent example of what to do and what 
not to do. I've used probably two of those approaches in interviews.

Quinto
San Antonio
    ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jonathan Alpert" <jna3434 at comcast.net>
To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 11:44 PM
Subject: Re: [humanser] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #149- Framing Blindness

> Giving today's economic down fall we are still on and employment is still
> rizing in places,  I am happy to have read this little story.
>
> Back in December, a counseling company I worked  for was down sized. The
> government cut our program out totally. The company moved all the people
> from my branch to other parts of the company. However, all the full time
> positions in this company  require one to have a drivers license. They 
> moved
> and down sized my hours from 20 a week to only 4 a week. I look at it
> positively, they actually made a position for me so they didnt have to let
> me go totally.
>
>  Since January I have  looked every day for a job and I have sent out 
> about
> a hundred  resumes. It doesnt sound like much but it is because a lot of
> companies require someone to have a drivers license.  I work as a 
> counselor,
> so unless I do outreach work, it should not be a question.
>
> Although I have an advance master's in my field, 6 years of experience and
> great references, it does not help me get past the stupid  few words of
> "drivers license required" Someone who only has a BA degree, can get a
> counseling job over me having  a CAGS just because I do not have a drivers
> license. When I  ask about it, they just tell me that it is a requirement.
> They say that it not against me, it is anyone  who doesnt have a drivers
> license.
> I called my state's comission for discrimination and they said it wasnt
> because it would "put a hardship on the company" if a counseling company
> would have to hire someone else to do any driving on my behalf.
>
> If anyone has been in the same shoes as I am,  I look for advice.
> Thank you for this thought provoker
> Jonathan
> jna3434 at comcast.net
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
> Behalf Of Robert Newman
> Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 10:07 PM
> To: human services list
> Subject: [humanser] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #149- Framing Blindness
>
>
> Human Service workers
> RE:  Framing Blindness
>
> This new THOUGHT PROVOKER presents a principle that I bet you would have
> your consumers study. It is the awareness that the words we use to 
> describe
> ourselves and blindness will go along way to either help us bring about a
> positive outcome or --- not. If you have not read the PROVOKER, it 
> follows.
> Recall that I collect responses and post them upon my web site for all the
> WWW to read and learn from and that URL is- Http://thoughtprovoker.info
> <http://thoughtprovoker.info/>   If you wish to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS
> sent directly to you, just write me and ask, at-  newmanrl at cox.net
>
>
> THOUGHT PROVOKER 149
> Framing Blindness
>
> "sir, I'm looking for a job. I heard you have several openings. As you can
> see," the young blind man held up his white cane in emphasis as he 
> addressed
> the business owner, "I am blind and because of it, I'm having a very tough
> time getting employment. Did you know that nearly 80% of the blind are
> unemployed? For centuries, blindness has been viewed as the worst handicap 
> a
> human can have, but it is all a lie, a great misunderstanding. With the
> right tools," raising his cane again, "a cane or dog guide, and with 
> Braille
> or for some, large print and other blindness skills, we can do most jobs,
> just as good as a sighted person. But we don't usually get a chance to 
> prove
> it." lifting the cane for a third time. "Usually people can't see past 
> this
> and we get pity, doubting thoughts and seldom an equal chance. Would you
> give me a try in one of your job openings?"
>
> "No, I won't. And I'm going to tell you why." The business owner, Ernest
> tone in his voice, palms flat on the counter top, leaned forward. "I
> listened to you, heard every word, processed the difficulties you laid out
> concerning the non-acceptance and unemployment of the blind. But think 
> about
> how you framed your story and what you set me up to think. You walked in,
> gave me the woes about being blind, hit me with 5 negatives, to one 
> positive
> and you want me to think you've got what I'm looking for in an employee?"
> Slapping a palm on the counter top in emphasis. "But this is what I'll
> consider --- I want you to go back outside, take a minute to think about 
> how
> you need to present yourself to me, then come back in and try your spiel
> again. But concentrate on telling what you can do for me."
>
> Surprised at the businessman's response, the blind guy knotted, accepting
> the challenge, turned and using the best cane technique he had, exited the
> building. Minutes later he came back in.
>
> "sir, you are looking to hire a customer service representative. I believe 
> I
> have the skills to fill the position." Indicating the cane in his hand, 
> "As
> you can see, I am blind and if you would hear me out, I would like to
> explain how I feel I can make this a success." Getting a go-ahead sound, 
> he
> continued. "Your job add listed a requirement of competency with a PC. I 
> use
> a PC every day.  And how it works for me, I use what is called screen
> reading software, it's voice output. This software will usually work with
> most computer applications. And if we find that it doesn't work right out 
> of
> the box with your companies system, we could call my state rehab counselor
> and she can have her IT specialist come in and evaluate your system and
> tweak my special software to work with yours. Second, you require customer
> service experience and though I haven't been paid to perform that duty, 
> I've
> had a couple of volunteer positions in which customer service was part of 
> my
> responsibilities."
>
> "The answer is still no. Better, but still not good enough. I now know 
> that
> you have abilities, special tools and some backup to aid you if you need
> technical assistance. However, though I'm feeling there is employment
> potential, but it appears to come with an equal weight of potential 
> problems
> that I would have to overcome. So no again. Go back out, rethink and come
> back in and convince me that you are the best person for the job."
>
> Not fully surprised, though somewhat dismayed, yet encouraged, the blind 
> guy
> knotted, turned and exited the building. Minutes later he came back in.
>
> "Sir," reaching out his right hand to give a shake in greeting, "my name 
> is
> John. You have an opening for a customer service rep, it is one of my best
> skills and I want to talk to you about hiring me for the job. I'm a very
> competent PC user. I have references I will present that will vouch for my
> ability and reliability to be at work every day, on time and that I always
> give 110% to the job. May I talk to you about your position?"
>
> "Yes, let's talk," responded the business owner.
>
>
>
> Robert Leslie Newman
> Email- newmanrl at cox.net
> THOUGHT PROVOKER Website-
> Http://www.thoughtprovoker.info
>
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