How to Find Suitable Jobs in Other Countries for Disabled People

by tony200 on Sunday, January 11, 2009 Article Rating 0.0 stars

 

Assisting Persons with Disabilities to Find Employment
The key to finding employment for anyone with a disability is to put the person first - thus, you do not try to find a job in other countries, in the US, or anywhere for a "disabled person" - rather you try to find a job for "a person with a disability".
Every one of us has something to overcome, some limitation somewhere. In working with persons with disabilities in the employment field, you must get to know the person, and center all efforts and resources on them, while giving ownership and responsibility to that person. It is a fine line between being an agent for your client, and in working to satisfy an employer with your client. Normally, when working with persons with disabilities, you use what is known as supported employment. But what is that?

Steps

  1. Supported Employment:  

    Supported employment programs provide people with direct placement in jobs in competitive, real-world settings with accompanying on-site and as-needed support services, which are designed to help individuals perform their job. 

    In utilizing supported employment, you must use an intensive job search and placement approach to help clients obtain jobs directly, rather than providing   pre-employment vocational experiences. 

    You should work with your clients to find individualized job placements based on client preferences, strengths, and work experiences. 

  2. All about Competitive Equality

    Services you can offer your clients can include job coaches, specialized job training, and assistance in planning transportation. 

    The heart of supported employment is that your client must receive the same or equal wages and benefits as other workers in similar jobs. 

  3. How do you accomplish all this?

    As stated at the first of this tutorial, you must work with your client, and share the responsibility and ownership of his or her employment. You assign tasks to your client, such as finding jobs in the newspaper he or she may be interested in; perhaps meeting you in a public place two or more times per week, and seeing how he/she reacts and handles crowds – is a crowd a strain? Does the client like crowds? Observing your client in real world situations will assist you in targeting appropriate jobs.

    Tutorial Continues Below

Tips and Tactics

  • You must meet with your client enough times, and observe his/her behavior, as well as conduct appropriate testing, such as a community based assessment or a vocational evaluation, so that you can judge appropriately what field and job might be appropriate.

    Work with the client’s family. If you do not have the family of the client on your side, you are doomed to failure, and you may overlook one of the most valuable resources available to you. The family sees the client much more than you do, and may know of hidden pressure points. Nevertheless, make sure that you do not fall into the trap of letting the family advise you on the appropriate route for the client. Remember, you are the expert.

    To assist you in job development and coaching, I would strongly suggest getting trained and certified as an Employment Specialist. There are several states and organizations that offer this training, and it is well worth the money spent. This training will assist you in not only the forms and procedures that must be used in job development, placement and retention, but will also help you figure out how to work with your local Rehabilitation Counselors, Mental Health or other organizations that may be working simultaneously with your client.

Links to Resources

  • www.optionsforindependence.com

  • www.lhb.org

Links to Blogs and Forums

  • This tutorial does not have all the information you need, but it is a start. Good luck with your job development, and remember, it all starts with you, your attitude, and your belief. If you do not believe in your client, and what you are doing, you will never be successful.

Rate This Article

  

About the Author

tony200

tony200

Member since Thursday, November 27, 2008

185 points | Member

This author has a BS in Criminal Justice Administration, with specialized training in management, employment law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Civil Rights and disability law resources. She has worked with the at risk population both in Alabama and Louisiana. Ms. Lirette has worked and had management positions in both for profit and nonprofit employment services. She has worked in employment services concentrating on the underemployed, mentally ill, and at risk population for many years now. She is a Certified Employment Specialist, and is working towards national certification. Ms. Lirette is a founding member of “Count us in” which is a program that places youths with disabilities into government internships, and is an active member on several local, state, and national committees advocating for the employment of disadvantaged persons, as well as a member of the Save Darfur Coalition.