<div>--------- Forwarded message ---------<br></div><div><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Bacon Fish via Chapter-Presidents</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:chapter-presidents@nfbnet.org">chapter-presidents@nfbnet.org</a>></span><br>Date: Fri, Dec 2, 2022 at 6:56 AM<br>Subject: [Chapter-Presidents] ADAPT Job Reflections newsletter 2nd edition<br></div><br><div style="word-wrap:break-word;line-break:after-white-space"><div style="margin:0px;text-align:center;font-stretch:normal;font-size:11px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""><b>Welcome Letter</b></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:11px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";min-height:12px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:11px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue";min-height:12px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:11px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> The <i>Job Reflections Newsletter</i> 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. </div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:11px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> <i>Job Reflections </i>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.</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:11px;line-height:normal;font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> All voices will be heard. Please send all article submissions to: <a href="mailto:adapt.employment@gmail.com" target="_blank">adapt.employment@gmail.com</a>. We are anxiously waiting for your work-experienced words of wisdom!</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:11px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);min-height:13px"><br></div><p style="margin:0px 0px 12px;text-align:center;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b>“Networking”</b> by Robin Cassidy</p><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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:<br>
<br>
1-Be prepared to have your contact information available at all times to give to people such as business cards, websites and social media;<br>
</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">2-Present yourself well; first impressions are lasting impressions;<br>
</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">3-Always be ready to give your elevator pitch, that is your 20 second pitch about yourself;<br>
</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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;<br>
</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">5-Ask for help and let everyone you know that are looking for a new job or a career change;<br>
</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">6-Use your online presence such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TicTok etc.;<br>
</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">7-Be aware of your online presence and make sure your information is current and workplace appropriate;</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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;<br>
</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">9-Stay in touch with your network, and always thank people for their assistance; and<br>
</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">10-Keep networking.</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:21px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Remember the employment journey is a continuous process. </div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><b></b><br></div><div style="margin:0px;text-align:center;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><b></b><br></div><div style="margin:0px;text-align:center;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana"><b>"The Job Training, I had To Fight For"</b></div><div style="margin:0px;text-align:center;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana">by Yasmin Campbell</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana"><br>
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 </div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana">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.</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana"><br>
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.<br>
<br>
</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana">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.</div><div style="margin:0px;text-align:center;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><b></b><br></div><div style="margin:0px;text-align:center;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><b></b><br></div><div style="margin:0px;text-indent:36px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b>"From The Nightmare Before Christmas </b></div><div style="margin:0px;text-align:center;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b>To A Christmas Miracle" </b></div><div style="margin:0px;text-align:center;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><b>by Rasheta Bunting</b></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">For millions, “It’s the most wonderful time of the</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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. </div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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 </div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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.</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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.</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br>
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 </div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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 </div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">proactive and ask for assistance. Like they say, closed mouths don’t get fed.</div><p style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"> </p><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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. </div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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.</div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Thank you for the wonderful articles. If you would like to send us an article for the employment newsletter, please email us at </div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(0,0,255);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="mailto:adapt.employment@gmail.com" target="_blank">adapt.employment@gmail.com</a></span><span style="color:#1a1a1a">. </span></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255);min-height:22px"><br></div><div style="margin:0px;font-stretch:normal;font-size:18px;line-height:normal;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(26,26,26);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">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.</div><div><br></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
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</div></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><br></div><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font size="4">Warmly, <br>Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>732-421-7063<br></font></span><font size="4"><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br></span><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">www.nfbnj.org</span></i></a><i style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br>Facebook: </i><a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</span></i></a><i style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br></i></font></font></div><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span></span>To schedule a 30-minute meeting <span>about the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey please </span>click on the link below</font></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://calendly.com/nfbnj/30min" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">https://calendly.com/nfbnj/30min</a></font></div></div><div></div></div><div dir="auto"></div><font color="#888888"></font></div></div>