connecting workers and employers: challenges of intellectual disabilities and rural communities

Connecting Workers and Connecting Workers and Employers:Employers:

Challenges of Intellectual Challenges of Intellectual Disabilities and Rural Disabilities and Rural

CommunitiesCommunities

Connecting Workers and Connecting Workers and Employers:Employers:

• Carol Leber Job Developer

• Kathy Scranton Instructor

• October 6, 2010

Student Demographics:Student Demographics:

Who are they?Who are they?

AWESOME INDIVIDUALSAWESOME INDIVIDUALS

Often with What they believe to be Often with What they believe to be insurmountable problemsinsurmountable problems

Who are we discussing today:Who are we discussing today:

•All ParentsAll Parents•High percentage of single parentsHigh percentage of single parents•Not necessarily single BUT unmarried.Not necessarily single BUT unmarried.•Classroom size up to 20 Classroom size up to 20

Most have experienced individual traumatic Most have experienced individual traumatic life events and/ or long continual demoralizing life events and/ or long continual demoralizing of self ; resulting in a belief of worthlessness of self ; resulting in a belief of worthlessness and inability.and inability.

Stumbling Blocks to EmploymentStumbling Blocks to Employment


• Poor Self Esteem

• Lack of Motivation

• Fear

• Hopelessness

• No Transportation Car, Bus, Taxi, Subway


• Poor or little Education

• Unstable Family Life

• Need Driver’s License

• Geography


• Prejudices

a) Race

b) Weight

c) Social Status


• Intellectual Disabilities

• Aspergers Disorder, Autism, and a plethora of Learning Disabilities.

• Mental Health disorders.

• Those in the “tween” category that either fell through the cracks and/or are not low functioning enough to be considered mentally challenged.

IN AN ATTEMPT TO:

• SPARK HOPE

• INSPIRE to believe in ones potential,

and THE POSSIBLITIES;

• Help overcome STUFF• AND MARKET

THEMSELVES we use

SOME VERY HELPFUL RESOURCES

www.pacareerzone.org

• Pennsylvania’s website for assessment, job search, career path and Budgeting

Assess Yourself

Explore Careers

Budget Your Life

http://www.keirsey.com/

Personality assessment to help understand one’s temperament;

Personality Zone and Work Zones

4 categories:

Guardian: George Washington, Mother Theresa

Rational: Albert Einstein;

Idealist: Princess Diana,

Artisans: Barbara Streisand

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/

• Over 1,000,000 Learners

• Everyday Life

• Math and Money

• Computer Training

• Work and Career

http://www.learnatest.com/

• Help with your GED Preparation

• Welcome to Learning Express Library

• We know how important it is to earn your GED. That's why this Center has everything you need to pass the tests. Here, you'll find learning courses in every GED subject, as well as instantly scored practice tests and essays just like the official exams.

www. khanacademy.org

• Website great for Math and a multitude of subjects:

• The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with the mission of providing a world-class education to anyone, anywhere. Despite being the work of one man, Salman Khan, this 1600+ video library is the most-used educational video resource as measured by YouTube video views per day and unique users per month.

What do we Do?

• Early Self-Assessment:

• Discover Career possibilities, paths, jobs:

• Stepping Stone Work employment that gets our clients on their feet! Jump starts the movement out of BROKE. TO

• Dream Job

“NO MATTER WHAT, (YOU) LOOK FORWARD TO GOING TO WORK”

Through this discovering and Through this discovering and rebuilding processrebuilding process

Help clients remediate their basic education skills: Readin’; Rritin’, and Rithmetic

Find out what …(client)…… wants to be when s/he grows up (becomes responsible for the family)

CAREER PATH

What Employers WantWhat Employers Want5 Major Areas: (believe it or not):

WELL-GROOMED DEPENDABLE PUNCTUALGETS ALONG WITH COWORKERS

and SUPERVISORS

From Work Certified: A consortium of businesses in Florida developed a program to assist in the development of “worker mentality.” It’s a fact! These 5 characteristics are paramount in keeping a job. And lots of us are unaware that these are necessary traits to even begin to succeed at a financially rewarding and pleasant work history.

• ( those who demonstrate these traits, often believe everyone has these traits)

Assessment Tools and Exercises Assessment Tools and Exercises

During attendance in our program clients (students) are guided through and given access to tools they can use to help design an attainable new future for themselves and their families.

Through use of the Internet, and Microsoft Office Clients discover the talents they have and through team encouragement the.

Programs and activities assist in Programs and activities assist in

the development of:the development of:

Resume – Education, Experience, SkillsCover Letter – Additional Skills, Communication, Writing Ability, Brief

chance to uncover “you.”Interview – Communication, Articulateness,

Appearance, Little more “you.”

Through the creation of the:Resume –Cover Letter

and preparing for Interview

• Individuals realize they have succeeded!

Lowering Resistance Lowering Resistance individualindividual

• Simulate work as closely as possible

• Continually reinforce the training program as a proving grounds where clients are allowed and applauded for giving us

teachable moments [opportunities FOR LEARNING]

• Don’t get fired from our learning center *

*[ hours and absence another story!]

Lowering Resistance Lowering Resistance Individuals

Goal: Encourage and guide so each and

every client leaves Our Learning Center more polished, prepared,

educated and hopeful; a bit more confident in their ability to maneuver through

BEING BROKE

Lowering ResistanceLowering Resistance

Encourage EVERY way possibleRecognize EVERY success

Build trustHelp students develop the TOOLS

to get and keep a job,

to continue to grow towards achieving that

Dream Career Path and position

Strategies for Connecting Strategies for Connecting Employers and WorkersEmployers and Workers

Make Your ListIndividual

Mention any and all appropriate1. Individual has been tested – Intellectually, skill

based, personality based? 2. Personally assessed for appearance,

punctuality, attendance, dependability and how3. Highlight good qualities and achievements4. What personal traits does your client have that

would make you want to hire them?

Connecting Employers and Connecting Employers and WorkersWorkers

Employment is a saleKnow Your Product Like Yourself!

What Employers are Looking ForWhat Employers are Looking For

• *Reliability• *Dependability• Hard Workers• Ethical• People who think out of

the box• Team players• Those who care about

their customers• Saving $$$$$$$$


Employers• Set up face to face meeting!• Briefly explain your organization and

possible resources/benefits available to employer.

• Emphasize community mindedness• Focus on listening - objections or

fears on the employers behalf


Employers• Attempt to alleviate fears and

overcome objections• Sell the positives (what are they?)• Share some success stories• Ask for an opportunity for a trial• Thank them and let them know

you plan to contact soon


Employment is a saleKnow Your Product Like Yourself!

Resume – Education, Experience, SkillsCover Letter – Additional Skills, Communication, Writing Ability, Brief

chance to uncover “you.”Interview – Communication, Articulateness,

Appearance, Little more “you.”


Know the Employer!

• During your first meeting try to uncover the employers needs

• Check out the employer on line

• Ask around

• Is your employer financial or community minded?


Job RequirementsType of WorkEducational ExpectationPhysical ExpectationCriminal background checks,

Child Clearances, Certifications?

Experience Required(Can this be overcome with on-

the-job-training?)

Individual’s traitsDo they want a job???What type of work fits the client?Does their personality fit the

work?Do they have the qualifications?Are they physically capable?What is their work history

background?Can they pass clearances?Do they understand good work

ethics?

Strategies for Connecting Strategies for Connecting Employers and Workers Employers and Workers

Make your listWhat is there to offer? All sales are based on need or a

solution to a problemOrganizationally

1. Is there funding available for OJTs or other subsidized employment?

2. How much ($) can be saved?3. Do you have job coaching available?4. What assessment tools have you used?5. Do you have data on placements and retention?6. Again – Stress Community mindedness and ask to be

given a chance

Strategies for Connecting Strategies for Connecting Employers and WorkersEmployers and WorkersDon’ts

• Never lie to the employer!• Don’t try to sell a

mismatch• Don’t make promises you

can’t keep• Don’t leave calls

unanswered• Don’t be late when

meeting employers• Don’t give up unless you

get an absolute no

Strategies for Connecting Employers and Workers

Do’s• Do be persistent• Do be polite• Do find answers to any

questions or concerns• Do thank them for their

time• Do continue to

periodically contact to keep the relationship open

Wrap Up and Thank You

• Persistence

• Patience

• Questions

• Comments

connecting workers and employers: challenges of intellectual disabilities and rural communities

Documents

employment slide

life slide

career slide

subway slide

rural communities slide

barbara streisand slide

stumbling blocks

stone work employment