Stake Your Claim: Supporting People with Disabilities to Build Personal Wealth and Resources

Presented by:

Gayann Brandenburg, CTAT

Tyler Paris, CTAT

and

Dan Rounds, BHSSC

The first step in staking your claim is Self-Awareness. Self-awareness can involve many aspects of a person’s life. What are some classic approaches that use self-awareness?

Are there any areas in your life that could be improved or enhanced by more self-awareness??

What are some of the areas where more self-awareness may be helpful for improved employment outcomes?

By developing your level of self-awareness you will be able to:

Get what you really want out of your career
Get more out of the people you work with
Communicate more effectively
Make better decisions and choices
Reduce your level of stress
Increase your level of self-confidence
Increase your prospects for career advancement

What are some techniques you can teach the job seekers you serve to increase self-awareness?

Job Values List

Please rank these job values as follows:

2 = very desirable; 1 = desirable; 0 = don't really care about it; 1 = undesirable; 2 = very undesirable

____Good salary

____Job security

____Good fringe benefits (vacation, sick leave, insurance, and medical)

____Job prestige

____Regular working hours (8a.m. to 5p.m., Monday through Friday)

____Opportunity for advancement

____Good location (close to present address)

____Clean and pleasant working conditions

____Varied job activities

____Opportunity to interact with others

____Opportunity to work without close supervision

____Opportunity for selfexpression

____Supervisory responsibility

____Low pressure about production goals

____Physical mobility (not having to stand or sit in one position for a prolonged period of time)

____Outdoor work

____Indoor work

____Opportunity to work with both males and females

____Opportunity to work in a racially mixed group

____Substantial physical exertion

____"Fine craftwork" involved in the job activity

____Teamwork in job activities

____High supervision and/or structure in the job

WORK RELATED SKILLS

A.Attendance: Person misses one day per month or lessyes / with support / no

B.Punctuality: Person starts work on timeyes / with support / no

C.Appearance: Person is appropriately groomed and dressed for work yes / with support / no

D.Cooperation with others: assists fellow workers, works on joint projectsyes / when asked / no

E.Managing self care: (eating, sleeping, health issues)yes / with support / no

F.Managing leisure timeyes / with support / no

G.Managing basic living skills (shopping, money management, etc.) yes / with support / no

H.Physical strength and endurancehigh / average / low

Comments:

SOCIAL SKILLS

A.Initiates social interactionsyes / with support / no

B.Responds to social interactionsyes / with support / no

C.Seeks the company of othersyes / with support / no

D.Receptive language (understands others)yes / with support / no

E.Expressive language (is understood by others)yes / with support / no

F.Selects appropriate conversation topicsyes / with support / no

G.Socially inappropriate behavior and/or bizarre appearance

1)Are present and not controlled (specify)

2)Are occasionally present, are controlled with support

3)Have been present, currently controlled

4)Are not an issue for this individual

Comments:

BASIC VOCATIONAL SKILLS

A.Works independentlyhigh / medium / low

B.Able to focus attention on taskhigh / medium / low

C.Problem solving skillshigh / medium / low

D.Able to work in spite of distractionshigh / medium / low

E.Flexibility/acceptance of changehigh / medium / low

F.Neatness and accuracy of workhigh / medium / low

G.Takes initiativehigh / medium / low

H.Follows verbal directions accuratelyhigh / medium / low

I.Follows written directions accuratelyhigh / medium / low

J.Accepts feedback appropriatelyhigh / medium / low

K.Frustration tolerancehigh / medium / low

L.Independent task sequencinghigh / medium / low

M.Ability to tolerate interruptionshigh / medium / low

N.Usual work ratehigh / medium / low

Comments:

Conditions, Preferences and Contributions

Conditions: “No matter what job I take, this will be a concern.”

______
______
______

Preferences: “I really like doing this kind of work.” “I really enjoy working with these people.” “I feel most comfortable when. . .” “I am happy when. . .”

______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______

Contributions: “I am at my best when. . .” “People like me for these reasons.” “My family says I am great at doing these things.” “I would be a good employee because of these things.”

______
______
______
______
______
______
______

Employment Barriers Self-Assessment

1. ____Difficulty processing and interpreting information

2. ____Trouble initiating action

3. ____Information overload

4. ____Difficulty sorting relevant from irrelevant sensory perceptions

5. ____Short-term memory problems

6. ____Inability to generalize

7. ____Distractibility, Difficulty concentrating

8. ____Learning difficulties

9. ____Difficulty in organization and planning

10.____Mood swings that cause variability in performance

11.____Suspicious

12.____Impaired judgment

13.____Delusions or hallucinations

14.____Symptoms or side effect of medication

15.____Social Isolation or Withdrawal

16.____Sense of loss

17.____Anxiety in presence of others

18.____Resistance to interpersonal involvement

19.____Fear of mistakes, failure, or success

20.____Trouble accepting praise and/or criticism

21.____Physical Restlessness

22.____Sleep Disturbance

23.____Slowed Gait/Awkward Movements

24.____Trouble maintain adequate hygiene

25.____Fine motor control impairment and hand tremors

26.____Stigma

27.____Long-term unemployment

28.____Fear of losing benefits

29.____Lack of education

Other:

Overcoming Barriers

If you checked the following numbers you may want to consider the recommendations to improve your chances at finding and maintaining employment.

1 – 9 Accommodations can help you with these issues. So will finding a job (job carving) with tasks and supervision that takes these issues into account. Simple job aids, such as checklists, and a mentor at work can be useful. Utilizing an employment service that specializes in job development for people with mental illness may be helpful for you.

10 - 14 Medication monitoring may be helpful for you. Working with a

therapist and your vocational counselor would also be recommended. Tracking your symptoms and journaling may also be helpful. Again accommodations for the job would be critical.

15 – 20 A peer support group may be helpful for you. Working with a vocational counselor who can talk to your employer may also be helpful.

21 – 25Medication monitoring may be helpful for you. Accommodations may be necessary. In extreme cases, self-employment may be your best option.

26 – 29 Working with a vocational counselor will be very helpful for you. A vocational assessment that identifies your strengths, interests, educational options, and benefit options could be very helpful also.

Working closely with your team and utilizing a peer support group (either formal or informal) can help you overcome barriers and become successfully employed or self-employed.

Self-Determination and Career Planning Worksheet

Name:Date:

We would like to know the assistance you want to receive to reach your educational and career goals. Please check the “want” column for the supports you would like. Leave blank any item that does not apply to you.

WANT

1. Support in choosing a vocational goal.
2. Support in identifying my interests and skills.
3. Support in applying and getting into the training program of my choice.
4. Support in getting financial aid for tuition, books, etc.
5. Support with basic skills in reading writing, math, GED preparation.
6. Support with study and test taking skills.
7. Support in finding out the requirements for a specific occupation.
8. Support in selecting a vocational service provider.
9. Information to help me select a vocational service provider.
10. Support with resume writing and interview skills.
11. Support in finding a job.
12. Support in trying out some different types of occupations.
13. Support in figuring out what accommodations I need, and in asking for accommodations.
14. Information about Social Security benefits when I go to work.
15. Experience through part-time or temporary jobs.
16. Support in improving my relationships with co-workers and supervisor.
17. Support in improving work related skills, like getting to work on time.
18. Support in improving job related skills, like computer skills, etc.
19. Work experience through a volunteer position.

Support in keeping a job.

Help in arranging transportation or getting a driver’s license.

Other

If you could have anything you wanted to help you attain your educational and career goals, what would you ask for?

What WorksWhat Doesn’t Work