[humanser] Questions

[Serena Cucco]

Hi Amy and all,

I received cane travel/orientation and mobility training from the
Commission for the Blind and technology training from a company that
contracted with the Commission when I was younger.  I also attended
the Buddy and STEP probrams (Buddy for elementary and middle school
age and STEP for high school age) programs at the Louisiana Center for
the Blind, a training center the NFB runs.  There are two other NFB
centers in Colorado and Minnesota.  All three of these centers have
adult programs, as well.  I use Jaws screen reading software and
Kurzweil (sp?) scanning software.

Amy, just wondering, are you totally blind?  Partially sighted?  Are
you going to the convention?

Serena

On 6/23/14, Ericka Short via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Amy, welcome first of all.
>
> Justin is right that having a masters opens the job choices considerably.
> He's also right that  you can't get off SSDI without the masters.  Marrying
>
> rich  is about the only other way and that doesn't always work out.  Not
> that I married rich and would know.It depends on what your dreams are and
> many other life situations. My degree is in social work.  I'm in about the
> same boat as you but have some experience behind me and am finally certified
>
> in my state for social work.  First I suggest you see if you can be licensed
>
> in your state for social work even though you have the psych degree.  I took
>
> the NASW exam and the state statutes exam for WI and am just awaiting my
> license. It isn't impossible to work without licensing or a masters, but you
>
> are limited that is for sure.  I don't know what age you want to work with.
>
> I worked as an activity aide at a nearby nursing home for six years part
> time to get experience.  I could walk so it took the  transit issue out of
> the equation and we didn't have to drive residents anywhere most of the time
>
> so it wasn't in the essential requirements of the job.  The only thing I
> drove was  wheelchairs!  Look into  what your state has for licensing and
> that will help direct you.  Don't hesitate to talk to the campus  career
> center.  They have given me lots of help even though I graduated 15 years
> ago.  They know more about your own state and  what the needs are for
> certain jobs.  If you have a focus they can help you more on some answers
> than we can.  we  are allover, but they can  help for state specific things.
>
> Transit is a toughie and it also depends on where you live.  There are some
>
> low cost county services here in my WI county that  I have used which are
> reliable and I have help at times from  church members I am close to.  Not
> everyone has that kind of connection.  You might be able to carpool with a
> coworker later, but you have to find a way to get there in the beginning.
> IF you are  SSDI  some states have rules that you can keep your assistance
> while  working because work expenses are subtracted from the real amount
> leaving you with  lower earnings in the end.  I don't know much about how
> the state rules and federal rules differ so that is something someone else
> can post here.  IF you can swing it, take the part time job that  suits you
>
> and keep the benefits for a while until you have the masters and other
> things researched and planned.  Any experience out of school right away
> will help you down the  road.
>
> My job I am awaiting either a rejection or offer for is in another
> city/county and it is part time.  Make sure you know their definition of
> part time.  For this job it is 25 /week. I had to  talk to the benefits
> specialist to  see what it would do if I took it.  I think I will work for
> me and I have transit figured out.  Again this is a job that doesn't require
>
> a license to do the  job and if there are situations where it would be nice
>
> I have some ideas around it.  Not having the job I can't really comment
> because the plans I think will work night not.  The job is a social service
>
> coordinator position at a HUD apartment building for the disabled and
> elderly.  Some of my activity plans like  getting to  attend a  church
> festival might be a little work because of liability, insurance and other
> important things.  The building doesn't have a van so we'd have to work with
>
> the churches to find a way for them to attend.  Fireworks is nether
> community opportunity for them to enjoy and it would be great if we could
> work with the city to get them there and back.  As you can see, whether I'm
>
> blind or sighted this transit issue would be a problem if I were planning an
>
> off-site activity.
>
> For other issues, write me offline.  Hope I've been of some help and if not,
>
> at least interesting.  Good luck with your efforts and don't give up the
> hunt.  There is something for you whether you are a partial like me or
> total.
>
> Ericka J. Short
>
> "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13
>
> "No hand is too small or too big to do good in this world." EJ. Short
>
>
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