[nabs-l] Getting the most out of working with a job placement specialist

[Jim Reed]

Hello,
Last spring I worked with a placement specialist, and it was an absolute waste of time. All my placement specialist did was shove job announcements down my throat. I may be blind, but I know how to look for job openings. It seems like that placement center may be geared more towards helping people with mental/developmental disabilities rather than physical impairments. I also got the impession that the plascement person was taking advantage of m abilities. In other words, because she knew that I know how to read, wrtie, communicate, and look for jobs, I got the feeling that she may have viewed me as a "free ride"-- a client for whom she did not have to do much. 

After that experience, I really had no desire to ever deal with those people again, but I let my VR councilor talk me into giving them (and a different placement specialist) a 2nd try. 

This time I want to go in there and establish very clear expectations as to what I expect from the placement specialist. So I need to know, what is it that a job placement specialist is supposed to do for a blind person? We know how to look for, and apply for jobs, we know how to communicate, and with some basic accomidations, we can do nearly any job. So I once again ask, what is the role of a placement specialist when the client is a blind person (especially a blind person with a fair amount of useable vision)?  

What have been your experiences using or working with a job placement specialist? Did the placement specialist do anything for you that you couldnt do yourself? How did you make sure you didnot become a free ride?

I'd appreciate any insight,
Jim

"Ignorance killed the cat; curiosity was framed."