[nabs-l] Job Hunting

Tue Aug 7 22:45:00 UTC 2012

I think it depends on the job; I have had a few different summer jobs
and internships where a Braille notetaker was not required, just
access to a PC. Braille displays are important devices and they
definitely assist with certain types of work, but there are plenty of
jobs we can do with merely a computer with speech output.
Also, when I was in high school I worked two different summer
internships using JAWS in demo mode, which meant neither my employer
nor I had to pay a dime. I'm not sure if this is an option anymore or
if JAWS only allows demo mode for a few days, but if it is an option
to run JAWS in demo mode for a month or two, it may be a viable
option.
I would just add that in this economy it is tough for everyone, not
just blind folks, to find work. I know at least a few sighted people
who have spent months or even years looking for work, so if you're not
hired, it may not be due to blindness. Gloria, if you'd be willing to
share some of the specific issues your potential employers raised
about how you would do the work, I might have some suggestions for
ways to get around any barriers although it sounds like you are going
about things the right way. What kinds of activities are you hoping to
do with the at-risk youth and what specific things are the employers
worried about?
Arielle

On 8/7/12, Aleeha Dudley <blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Strange. My vr got my apex bt32 for me with no complaints.
>
> Aleeha Dudley
> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
> Changing what it means to be blind
>
> On Aug 7, 2012, at 5:08 PM, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu>
> wrote:
>
>> I talked to HumanWare about the Braille Note Apex.
>> They said, since Rehab wouldn't buy anything over $6000, that if you
>> bought a Braille Note Apex, with an 18 cell display, for $4000, you
>> could then upgrade to a 32 cell, for $1600.
>> That's Rehab's job.
>> They should help you, if you're either in school, or working.
>> Blessings, Joshua
>>
>> On 8/7/12, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>> Joshua,
>>> Most people need more than jaws on the job; a braille display and a
>>> notetaker are often needed.
>>> When you look for work, you will find how expensive technology is and
>>> that
>>> your employer is hesitant to hire you and buy it when they can hire
>>> sighted
>>>
>>> people with no accomodation purchases.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Joshua Lester
>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 9:43 AM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Job Hunting
>>>
>>> Hi, Hope.
>>> What assistive technology would you need, that would be expensive?
>>> Who needs Jaws, when there's NVDA, which is free?
>>> Just a suggestion.
>>> Thanks, Joshua
>>>
>>> On 8/7/12, Hope Paulos <hope.paulos at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Hi there. I received my degree in secondary education with
>>>> concentration
>>>> in
>>>> Spanish and another in modern languages focusing in Spanish and German.
>>>> I've
>>>> decided though, that I do not want to teach. I would rather be a
>>>> vocational
>>>> rehabilitation counselor. I know that if I work at my state agency, I
>>>> can
>>>> receive funding assistance with the grant provided by our essay. I'm
>>>> hoping
>>>> to go that route and obtain my masters degree. Unfortunately, public
>>>> schools
>>>> are also places of discrimination. It is very unlikely that they would
>>>> hire
>>>> totally blind individual to teach a high school Spanish class without
>>>> concerns. They would need to hire an Ed Tech and also there are some
>>>> specific assistive to technology that I would need that is very
>>>> expensive.
>>>> For example, Braille display, et cetera.
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>> On Aug 6, 2012, at 10:19 PM, "Ashley Bramlett"
>>>> <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hope,
>>>>> Are you working? If not, what is your area of study? I thought you
>>>>> were
>>>>> studying to be a Spanish teacher or something.
>>>>> I saw you on the nobe list, so I know you want to teach.
>>>>> Its too bad they did what they did to you. Discrimination is live and
>>>>> well
>>>>> around here.
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Hope Paulos
>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 9:18 PM
>>>>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Job Hunting
>>>>>
>>>>> I couldn't agree more. Well said!!! There was an instance where I had
>>>>> applied for an interpreter work-at-home position and I had the skills
>>>>> and
>>>>> passed the language part of the interview with flying colors. As soon
>>>>> as
>>>>> I
>>>>> mentioned I was blind I was told that I couldn't use  a computer to
>>>>> take
>>>>> notes, but sighted people could use pencils. I was told I wouldn't be
>>>>> a
>>>>> good
>>>>> fit because I had to take breaks to take my dog outside. It was
>>>>> blatent
>>>>> discrimination. Needless to say I filed a complaint with department of
>>>>> justice and they got  called out. I don't think they'll be doing
>>>>> anything
>>>>> like that again. Just keep advocating!!
>>>>> Hope
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf
>>>>> Of Gloria G
>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 9:05 PM
>>>>> To: Misty Dawn Bradley; National Association of Blind Students mailing
>>>>> list
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Job Hunting
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>> What I find interesting is the organizations that provide services to
>>>>> persons with disabilities and tell the clients they can do whatever
>>>>> they
>>>>> put
>>>>> their minds to as long as they work hard and advicate for themselves,
>>>>> turn
>>>>> away a blind person because they feel we are unable to complete tasks.
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Misty Dawn Bradley" <mistydbradley at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 7:49 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Job Hunting
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>> I also ran into the same issue when applying for a full-time position
>>>>>> with AmeriCorps. The people conducting the interview kept emphasizing
>>>>>> the paperwork, and I tried to explain that there are ways that I
>>>>>> could
>>>>>> do the paperwork, but I still did not get the position. It surprised
>>>>>> me, because I worked in that same office and turned in all reports
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> paperwork on time, although I had a different supervisor and it was a
>>>>>> different program. I think part of it was that I did not have
>>>>>> experience in the area of the position, but I also think part of it
>>>>>> was the paperwork, because that point was emphasized indirectly
>>>>>> during
>>>>>> the
>>>>> interview.
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> Misty
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Gloria G" <gloria.graves at gmail.com>
>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 8:41 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Job Hunting
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>> I am not offended or anything by the questions that are asked. I am
>>>>>>> just upset that I am not given a chance. It is almost as if the
>>>>>>> employer has decided what I can and can not do the minute I walk in
>>>>>>> the door with my cane.
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "David Dodge" <daviddod at buffalo.edu>
>>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 7:36 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Job Hunting
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Gloria,
>>>>>>>> It definitely sounds like you are going about things the right way.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I would try not to get discouraged or be concerned by the questions
>>>>>>>> the interviewer is asking. It is definitely not a bad thing for a
>>>>>>>> blind person to help a sighted person better understand how the
>>>>>>>> employment would work.
>>>>>>>> Think of it as an opportunity for you to advocate and teach the
>>>>>>>> potential employer something.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The best that can be done is what you are doing - honestly
>>>>>>>> answering
>>>>>>>> questions and explaining things.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> David
>>>>>>>> ----------------------------------
>>>>>>>> David Dodge
>>>>>>>> Diversity in Disability Planning Committee Chairperson English
>>>>>>>> Major
>>>>>>>> University at Buffalo
>>>>>>>> 306 Clemens Hall
>>>>>>>> Buffalo, NY 14260
>>>>>>>> daviddod at buffalo.edu
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 8:28 PM, Gloria G <gloria.graves at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hi Hope,
>>>>>>>>> Did you go to get your masters in rehab counseling? I have also
>>>>>>>>> thought of getting a masters in rehab counseling.
>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hope Paulos"
>>>>>>>>> <hope.paulos at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" <
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 7:16 PM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Job Hunting
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> No. I'm currently hunting for a job as well. I just answered them
>>>>>>>>> as you
>>>>>>>>>> do,
>>>>>>>>>> explaining how I would do certain things and giving examples. I
>>>>>>>>>> applied for a vocational rehabilitation counselor I. position and
>>>>>>>>>> I would be working with individuals with disabilities as well as
>>>>>>>>>> mental  health diagnoses.
>>>>>>>>>> Nothing offends me so they can ask any question they want
>>>>>>>>>> regarding my blindness. It's just a matter of overcoming the
>>>>>>>>>> stereotypes put on us by people who don't know what we really can
>>>>>>>>>> do.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.**org<nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org>]
>>>>>>>>>> On Behalf
>>>>>>>>>> Of Gloria G
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 8:13 PM
>>>>>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Job Hunting
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hi Hope,
>>>>>>>>>> Do you currently work? If so how did you get around those
>>>>>>>>>> questions?
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Hope Paulos"
>>>>>>>>>> <hope.paulos at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>>> To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
>>>>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 6:52 PM
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Job Hunting
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hi Gloria. I think you're taking the right approach. I always
>>>>>>>>>> disclose my
>>>>>>>>>>> blindness (it's hard for them not to see  that I'm blind because
>>>>>>>>>>> of my guide dog). I'd just continue to advocate for yourself as
>>>>>>>>>>> far as working with at risk youth.
>>>>>>>>>>> Hope
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>>> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.**org<nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org>]
>>>>>>>>>>> On
>>>>>>>>>>> Behalf
>>>>>>>>>>> Of Gloria G
>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2012 7:24 PM
>>>>>>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Job Hunting
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>>>>>>> I was wondering how do you handle interviews when the talk of
>>>>>>>>>>> blindness comes up? I have had some interviews and in some cases
>>>>>>>>>>> the interviewer does not bring up my blindness, but I know it is
>>>>>>>>>>> something that is very noticable as soon as I walk in the door.
>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>> try to remain calm and answer the questions that pertain to the
>>>>>>>>>>> position I am applying for and I discuss how I would handle
>>>>>>>>>>> these
>>>>>>>>>>> tasks despite my blindness. There are those interviewers who
>>>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>>>> come right out and ask how I am going to complete the task
>>>>>>>>>>> required of me as a blind person. I answer and give examples of
>>>>>>>>>>> how I would complete the tasks. I guess I should have started
>>>>>>>>>>> out
>>>>>>>>>>> by saying I am a psychology and sociology double major and want
>>>>>>>>>>> to work with at risk youth as a counselor.
>>>>>>>>>>> Because I do not yet have my degree I am trying to gain as much
>>>>>>>>>>> experience as possible because this is what future employers
>>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>>> be looking for, but the problem I run into is there are many
>>>>>>>>>>> organizations that work with at risk youth in the town I live
>>>>>>>>>>> in,
>>>>>>>>>>> but there is always the question of how I am going to work with
>>>>>>>>>>> the youth as a blind person. I have also thought of doing any
>>>>>>>>>>> work that envolved providing services to youth, women, families
>>>>>>>>>>> such as, homeless shelters and things of that nature. I am just
>>>>>>>>>>> feeling defeated at this point, because every door I have opened
>>>>>>>>>>> has closed shut in my face, and it only seems to be due to me
>>>>>>>>>>> being blind. I just want someone to give me a chance because I
>>>>>>>>>>> know I can do the work.
>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>>>>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
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>>>>>>>>>> fbnet.org/hope.paulos%40gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>> m
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
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