[rehab] Blog: My story: The Benefits of Working with Agencies like the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind, Ed.gov, November 20, 2017

[Nightingale, Noel]

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My story: The Benefits of Working with Agencies like the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

Ed.gov

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Blog

November 20, 2017

By Odyssey Sea



Getting a job right after I graduated was a very exciting and scary experience. Luckily, I had Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) staff to help me along the way because without their help, experiencing new things would have been difficult. At first, I was nervous. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after high school. Luckily DSB staff stepped in and helped me figure out some things. I am getting job experiences with different companies like the Museum of Flight and at PAVE, a nonprofit that assists young adults like me. PAVE also assists parents, families and anyone connected to a child, youth or young adult with disabilities.



Reasonable accommodations were part of this experience. Some of the new experiences that worked for me were asking for accommodations such as getting a larger keyboard so it would be easier to see and type. Another accommodation I had was using an iPad to use the speech to text feature. This helps me get my thoughts in order instead of typing them out.



DSB also helped me get situated to find the right resources such as how to use shuttle services. It took a while to fill out all the paperwork but in the end, it was very simple to figure out and the wait was worth it.



They have helped me find job experiences which have helped me get to the job and do the work, stay busy and get ready for the real world.



I encourage you to try to get the help from agencies like the DSB or any other agency that will help you get a job. They will guide you all along the way!



Background on YES Programs that Assisted Odyssey



Programmatic Information:



Youth Employment Solutions (YES) II is a six-week program in Seattle, Wash., designed to provide valuable work experience and learning to high school students, age 16 through high school graduation. Accepted candidates are provided five weeks of paid work experience at internships created for them in cooperation with Seattle-area businesses. Positions are assigned to students based on their interests, abilities, and experience.



YES II is a residential living experience that provides students the opportunity to refine their daily living skills, such as planning, purchasing and preparing meals, and maintaining their own personal effects and common living quarters at the YES residence. Additionally, students learn skills in using public transportation techniques for travel to worksites. They are encouraged to participate in community social and recreational activities.



Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) provides training, counselling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who are blind or visually impaired, pursue employment, education, and independent living. Our goal is "Inclusion, Independence, and Economic Vitality for People with Visual Disabilities."