[NFBNJ] Fwd: [Chapter-Presidents] ADAPT Job Reflections newsletter 2nd edition

Fri Dec 2 13:04:12 UTC 2022

--------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Bacon Fish via Chapter-Presidents <chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org>
Date: Fri, Dec 2, 2022 at 6:56 AM
Subject: [Chapter-Presidents] ADAPT Job Reflections newsletter 2nd edition

*Welcome Letter*

     The *Job Reflections Newsletter*  is a new and exciting project that
the ADAPT Employment group is launching.  We are offering an opportunity
for everyone to contribute their shared disabled  experiences with their
quest for employment.
     *Job Reflections *will be circulated on a monthly basis.  We are
looking forward to  participation from everyone. The ADAPT Employment group
is requesting  articles and reflections from our readers, so we can
celebrate, together, as we embark on the journey on the road to employment.
     All voices will be heard.  Please send all article submissions to:
adapt.employment at gmail.com.  We are anxiously waiting for your
work-experienced words of wisdom!

*“Networking”* by Robin Cassidy

Word of mouth, visiting your school counselor or taking classes are ways to
start the networking process.  Here are ten quick tips for effective
networking to get a job:

1-Be prepared to have your contact information available at all times to
give to people such as business cards, websites and social media;
2-Present yourself well; first impressions are lasting impressions;
3-Always be ready to give your elevator pitch, that is your 20 second pitch
about yourself;
4-Ask people you know questions and listen closely to the responses to your
questions. This is where you can build a relationship with someone;
5-Ask for help and let everyone you know that are looking for a new job or
a career change;
6-Use your online presence such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,
TicTok etc.;

7-Be aware of your online presence and make sure your information is
current and workplace appropriate;

8-Do your homework by researching the industry and companies you want to
work in as well as the people you plan to network with before you contact
anyone;
9-Stay in touch with your network, and always thank people for their
assistance; and
10-Keep networking.

Remember the employment journey is a continuous process.

*"The Job Training, I had To Fight For"*
by Yasmin Campbell

Last year, my friend participated in this job training program, called
NSITE, which focuses on training people with low vision or who are blind to
become human resource  recruiters.  After he completed the training, he
thought of me and said I would be a good fit for this program since he

knew that I was actively seeking employment.  I told my Commission for the
Blind counselor that I was interested in this program.  Her response was to
ask me to send her some information about the program and I did.
Eventually, she got back to me.

I found out the start date of the job training program was scheduled for
the Fall.  Of course, my counselor wanted to speak with the people in
charge of the program, so I initiated the process and we all played email
tag for about two weeks, but we finally had a Zoom meeting.  Since I have a
strong work history, they wouldn’t say no, right?  I even emailed an older
résumé I had from my college days to show my experience.  As the summer
ended and we moved into September, I started to get the runaround from my
counselor; as it got closer to the start of the class I just knew it was
over, LOL.  Then, I received an email saying you have been approved for the
program.  I did a little happy dance.

Fast forward six weeks into the training program, I’m here to say I’m still
hanging in there.  I’m learning the ins and outs of LinkedIn and how to
find potential candidates globally.  It’s definitely interesting and come
January I’ll start the six weeks internship.  I’ll let you know how that
goes but want to leave you with some advice.  Always advocate for
yourself.  If you believe in your potential, they will too.

*"From The Nightmare Before Christmas *
*To A Christmas Miracle" *
*by Rasheta Bunting*

For millions, “It’s the most wonderful time of the
year” is not just a line in an old Christmas carol.  The holiday season is
upon us, and it’s a time for good will towards men and tidings of joy and
yes, parties, parties and more parties.

Everyone loves a party, but everyone may not be fully immersed in the
festivities.  This is especially true in an integrated office setting,
where disabled and non-disabled colleagues work alongside each other.
Plans are made, games are played and unintentionally, the co-worker with
the disability

watches from the sideline feeling awkward, anxiously clock watching and
praying for the moment when someone alerts them that their paratransit has
arrived.  I compiled a few strategies that I used to combat the holiday
office party woes.

To begin, this is where proactivity and self-advocacy skills should kick
in.  If we don’t want to be excluded, we have to make ourselves included.
Most offices have a holiday party planning committee; join the committee!
This is the best way to ensure that your distinct accessibility needs are
met. Remember, in an integrated workplace you are the disability expert.
So, this is the perfect time to show what you know.

One of the best parts of an office party is the food and drink.  For many
people with disabilities, food serving is a nightmare, especially if it’s
buffet style.  Blind colleagues have trouble fixing their plates and
co-workers with mobility or manual dexterity disabilities may have trouble
navigating with a cup and plate.  Different suggestions can be made to make
it inclusive.  Request a la carte or family style, where the food is placed
in the middle

of the table or meals are served to everyone, as opposed to a buffet.
Also, suggest that a group of designated food handlers be chosen to serve
everyone, banquet-style. There are many volunteer organizations such as New
York Cares, that specialize in working with people with disabilities.  If
buffet is the only option, then be
proactive and ask for assistance.  Like they say, closed mouths don’t get
fed.

The best part of the holiday season are the decorations.  Companies pride
themselves in their holiday decor, such as Macy’s.  Many offices have
Christmas trees, light displays, wreaths and even hang mistletoe.  This may
look pretty but may not be the most disability friendly.  I am not saying
get rid of the holiday decorations, because I’m no Grinch and do not live
in Whoville, but we need to advocate for the decorations to not be so
intrusive, where we can’t use our wheelchairs, walkers and canes. They get
caught in garland and wires and make it difficult for us to navigate
throughout the office.  Request to have wires pushed behind furniture and
no low hanging ornaments.  When the party is being planned, advocate that
long, banquet-style tablecloths not be used, so they don’t get tangled in
wheelchairs and canes.

Request that decorations not stick out, such as Christmas trees, so
blind/low vision employees do not crash into them.  Lastly, suggest that
decorators be mindful of light displays.  Fast blinking Christmas lights
may trigger certain types of seizures.  Keep the light displays on constant
glow.  It’s still pretty and a whole lot safer.

Thank you for the wonderful articles.  If you would like to send us an
article for the employment newsletter, please email us at
adapt.employment at gmail.com.

The next Downstate New York ADAPT Employment Working Group will be held on
Thursday, January 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. (NY Time).  Happy Holidays.

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Warmly,
Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
732-421-7063
president at nfbnj.org
*www.nfbnj.org* <http://www.nfbnj.org/>
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