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

[Robert Newman]

I am a VR counselor and one part of my job is as a placement specialist and
the most valuable service I can do is the following 3 things- 

First, through visiting with you and observing, make sure as much as I can
in my mind that you are ready and willing to work. 

Second, make sure you know how to represent yourself and here I am speaking
of is can you sell yourself in the interview. 

And third, most employers have not previously hired a blind person and so I
go out and visit with them and not only learn about their company and the
type of jobs they have and what kind of worker are they looking for, but I
educate them as to how a blind person can do the job. And I say to you ---
most employers need the education piece. And sure, some get it --- well
somewhere, but most do not go out looking for it, nor is there many
opportunities for them to get that special kind of coaching. So the job
placement person is the key to "developing" that opportunity. Finally, it
all comes down to the interview, to you. (But you the blind guy has to have
an open minded interviewer.)

(It is Monday morning and that is my take on your question.) 

Robert Leslie Newman 
Email- newmanrl at cox.net
THOUGHT PROVOKER Website- 
Http://www.thoughtprovoker.info

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jim Reed
Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 12:17 PM
To: NABS mail list
Subject: [nabs-l] Getting the most out of working with a job
placementspecialist

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." 


      
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