Jobs for people with disabilities

[Brandon's Mom]

Where have you seen adults with disabilities working in your communities?

Brandon's high school job coach and case worker can't seem to be able to do their jobs and have asked that I come up with places where Brandon can work.

Brandon takes part in his high school's Work Exploration/Experience Program with his Community Based class. He worked at IHOP (International House of Pancakes) last year, but had to go from working 2 days a week, down to one day a week, because there wasn't anyone there on Monday's who spoke English well enough to help him. Silly me, I thought he might be discriminated against because he's got disabilities and didn't think that speaking English in America was a handicap. :rolleyes: This year, they have him at another restaurant rolling silverware into napkins which is one of the things he did at IHOP last year so he isn't getting the opportunity to learn new skills or experiece something new (that IS the purpose of the program).

Since the program is Work Exploration, at his end of the year IEP I told the job coach that having one job all school year was NOT acceptable and I wanted him to have a new job each semester, at the very least. He didn't like his IHOP job but she kept him there because it was easier for HER than finding another placement. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!! That will NOT happen this year and we are meeting next week with the teacher, job coach and the director of Special Education for the district because I want the job coach to do her job (yes, I know... I am so demanding).

I need some ideas on where he might be able to work. The following information should help determine what might be appropriate:

Likes: sports, kids, music, movies & cars

Abilities: he's able to stand and walk, understands most verbal communication, aims to please, is friendly, follows instructions well

Problem areas: cannot handle prolonged heat exposure (we live in HOT AZ so most outside jobs are out of the question), cannot read or write, uses his left hand only as an assist (non-functional), has mental retardation and poor vision

I would like some ideas to take to the meeting next week and if the job coach won't "run with the ball" and try and find local employment opportunites for him then dang it, I will! They only have the kids work 1-2 hours a couple of days a week, although I'm sure he would like to do more hours if he enjoyed the job. His district does NOT usually find them jobs which will pay them, but that is a whole other can of worms.

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it.

[lorilou]

Our local small town grocery store has several people with disabilities working there. Most of them are "bag boys" so they help load groceries into carts and then take them to cars (yes, we still have people wheel your groceries to your car!). I think most of them started in high school and many remain after they graduate. I know one young gentleman works full time since graduating from high school two years ago.

WAY BACK when I was in high school, I worked at Wendys. At that time they had a program with the highschool for teens with disabilities to get job training.

Don't forget Sams Club or Costco...their greeters are often disabled. We have a Sams Club nearby who has a young gentleman in a wheelchair as the exit person. I'd say he's probably a quadraplegic...he marks the receipts with a pen strapped to his hand.

HTH --

[Tracy Sheppard]

At our local Meijer store, they have many people with various disabilites working as door greeters and baggers etc. It is so refreshing to see them when we go in the store.

[laurensmom]

Target in NC has a good program, Lauren's teacher assist. daughter works in the stockroom, tagging clothing for the sales floor. Also some grocery stores here hire bag boys with disabilities., greeter also came to mind~~

My brother who is now 54 works in a very upscale restaurant at Mystic Seaport back home in CT., he has worked there for years, he loves to peel potatoes and carrots and any other chores that they have him do, he is so proud of his paycheck!!!! Plus, he gets to pick what the cook makes him for lunch everyday, I think he eats cheeseburgers and fries most every day he works tho!!!

Good luck to Brandon and you in finding the perfect place for him.

Hugs,

Debi

[Carly'sMa]

The young man down the street works at the packing facility for a local coffee roaster. Another person I know worked for Yankee Candle (factory is here in our area). There are landscape jobs, supermarket jobs, stocking shelves, janitorial, video store, pet shop. Our local Arc has a jobs program and it is pretty big -- people work for a local herb farm as well.

Good luck.

[queen]

My Mom works at a hotel and she has a few DD adults come in to help her do the continental breakfast, vaccuum etc. The veterinarian I worked for had a girl come in to help feed, clean and play with the animals.
Where would your son like to work? I am sure you could find a way for him to work at any business he has an interest in.
Good Luck!!
Michelle

[Austinsmom]

Hi Joy!!!:p
It is so nice to see your post, I have a million questions for you but I wanted to write you about this question
I am still on disability and not working right now…. but I am a job coach ( support staff ) for Adults with developmental disabilities
We have many places we go, we work within the vocational school itself, we have paid jobs, from putting away dishes from the dishwasher, Light office work, filling, cleaning, and gardening. We have some folks working part time at grocery stores, volunteering at the hospital elder care unit, there we bring in small groups for playing bingo each week 2 times a week, we go to volunteer at the senior thrift store, from gathering empty hangers to hanging clothes, stocking books, we work at a year round camp for disabled adults,many jobs are at the camp, yard pool, sorting, office cleaning, one small market allows us to have some of our clients fill stock on to shelves many of our clients end up working part time for extra money at many of these jobs, we do yard work around the bowling alley and one of our clients takes all the empties, cases of beer bottles from the bowling alley bar to recycle, he get one dollar a case and often he gets 20 cases in one day each week, we do many recycling programs, maintain and collect recycles from motel lodges, we work at the library too from dusting, stocking pamplets in the cases for local actiities and local info, to book placement, we have people work at the fish store, feeding, and glass cleaning of the tanks, we volunteer at the Zoo we clean glass, rake, sweep, stock supplies. We work for the forestry, we make necklaces with magnifying glasses at the end of yard for a kids program they offer at our discovery center, this makes money to provide free programs for the public all year long, we replanted pine trees one year, and any other help the forestry might want from us. We are looking into helping a few stands at the farmers market, one sells clothing one veggies.
What would you like Brandon to do, or to help with, make a list of what you think he would like, what would you like him to learn, see if they will accommodate him, we try to work anywhere we can or anywhere our clients want to work. We meet with clients and their families 4 times a year or more often if needed to see how jobs are going and if we want or need changes family suggestions are always encouraged where I work. Same old push, Mom's do the foot work then push . I hope this way to long of a post helps
Glad to see You
Love to you and your wonderful family
Deborah

[momtoeva]

At the federal governement agency where I work now, adults with disabilities work in the mailroom and deliver mail.

In Michigan, adults with disablities collected the recycling at the county prosecutor's office where I worked. My husband was a job coach for adults with developmental disabilities when we lived in MI and his clients enjoyed working at the Residence Inn cleaning rooms in a team much more than they enjoyed fast food jobs.

Where I grew up in NJ, one of the special ed students got a job taking tickets at the movie theatre. A lot of s.e. students worked at the grocery store as baggers or stock boys.

Good luck - it sounds like you and Brandon are on your way to finding him a job he really enjoys!

[taft]

Since they aren't getting paid anyway what about the humane society?? we adopted a cat a few days ago and there were at least 3 disabled people working or volunteering. My dh used to work with the disabled and one of his clients rounded up carts at walmart in the mornings for them. She really liked her job.

[Brandon's Mom]

Thank you all so much for your input! I'll be taking lots of notes the next few days, in preparation for our meeting at the school next week and your ideas will help me tremendously. Brandon's teacher and I have told the job coach about several of the jobs mentioned in your post and she got huffy with me and told me that many of them are things she has looked into but could not find employers willing to assist the school with their program.

According to her (I take everything said by her with a grain of salt) most of the employers she has approached use liability issues as their reason for not wanting to be involved with employing special needs students. Isn't it her job to explain to these employers that the students come to work WITH a job coach and none of the placements would occur in jobs that the students are incapable of doing?

Potentially great news arrived in the mail yesterday, Arizona is just starting a pilot program that gives the tools necessary for transitioning from high school into the real world. :rolleyes: Better late than never, yes?? I browsed through some of the checklists last night and they have a lot of entries that talk about programs that the DDD (Department of Developmental Disabilities) clients should be informed about. Of course, all the program names are acronyms and I don't even know what they are and which ones will benefit Brandon. Right now Brandon doesn't even have a case-worker, his last one left over the summer and they still have not reassigned him so even if they send someone to his IEP next week, it will be someone who has never met Brandon and maybe, just maybe, has read his case file. Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!

He's only been in the adult system for 11 months and has already gone through 2 caseworkers and neither of them had a clue about what services are out there for adults with disabilities and neither of them could even find PT and OT for him. All the paperwork I got last night indicates that there ARE programs out there, funded by the state, but if the caseworkers don't even know about them, how will the clients find out???? AZ has a LONG way to go as far as helping out with the transitioning of individuals with special needs but it's nice to see they are moving forward and starting to give a darn. Maybe I will just put Brandon in a time capsule and have him leap forward 10 years to when the state has adequate programs in place.

I am sure you could find a way for him to work at any business he has an interest in.
Um... I don't think I'm a pessimist, but I do look at things realistically and I think the notion of him working at any business he has an interest in would be a pipe dream at best. In an ideal world, yes- that would be possible, sigh...

[wheeliebird]

Joy, I have swore to myself that I would NEVER EVER work here because I'd be bored to tears but what about a "Walmart Greeter" (but that's just me), I see myself doing more then just saying "Hi, welcome to Walmart, can I help you"?? If he was a woman and enjoyed shopping you could look into him being a "Secret Shopper". Do a Google search on it, I did, it looks interesting! :D Getting paid to shop, who would have thunk it!!! LOL Wish I had more ideas for you. I myself will soon be going down this road, a "job search" after getting established in the community. I dread going down that road as there aren't many jobs for people in wheelchairs that only have the use of thier left arm. I might check out online to see what I can find. UCP told me today to get a hold of my OVR counselor and see what they can find. I've dealt with them in the past and it was a loooonnnnngggg dragged out thing. I think I wanna try myself first before going that route again! Good Luck to Brandon I hope he finds just the right job for him! :) Let us know how he makes out!

[Brandon's Mom]

Store greeter is one of the positions I am trying to avoid because right now we are looking for job experiences which will teach him new skills and allow him to try things he hasn't done. He likes to be physically doing something and standing there saying hi to people would undoubtedly be boring for him. I would only have considered his being a greeter if I felt he needed improvement in his social skills.

[~Pansy~]

In CA, our state government hires under the "LEAP" program (limited examination and appointment program). Under this program, persons with disabilities receive extra "probation" time. For example, if a person were hired and given a 90-day probation, a person who held a LEAP certificate would be given a 180-day probation periord to learn and perform their job to expectation.

There are other benefits to holding a LEAP certificate and only disabled Americans can hold such a certificate.

I believe there are federal benefits to hiring a LEAP certificate holder, so I imagine all states have such programs available.

Check with your state's "personnel board".

p.s. if Brandon enjoys food service, he could possibly get a LEAP job with your state working in one of the cafeteria's that cater to state employees. He would not only reap the benefits of payroll, but all other benefits available to state employees (medical/dental/retirement etc.).

[wheeliebird]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In CA, our state government hires under the "LEAP" program (limited examination and appointment program). Under this program, persons with disabilities receive extra "probation" time. For example, if a person were hired and given a 90-day probation, a person who held a LEAP certificate would be given a 180-day probation periord to learn and perform their job to expectation.

Pansy, I think they do something like this too here in PA, it sounds familiar and I think its great, it puts us on an equal footing with everyone else! :)

[1234alex]

I now work at a center/school for those with DD and autism, birth to adulthood. I know that it is hard to get employers to agree to be part of the program that helps whose with DD find training and employment. BUT, our clients work at local grocery stores, fast food places, clean offices both in the community and in our center, do piece work in sheltered workshops, help out with the kids in our preschool, work in one of several restaurants we have on the grounds.

Unfortunately, there is always a waiting list for those wanting employment. You have gotten several good ideas, areas to look into.

[wheeliebird]

Joy, I know you wany Brandon around people and get the intereaction that way, but just until I get established in my new lifestyle I was considering seeing if theres something I could do online job wise, just an idea I'm throwing around in my head, nothing concrete! :)

Just like Barb said, there is such a demand and waiting list for people with disabilities!! Heck, I'd even consider stuffing envelopes or something for a local business just to earn a few bucks and get my name out there! :)

BTW...Barb, welcome back, glad you found us again! :)

Robin

[PaulaScott]

The keynote speaker at a retreat I attended several years ago helped to create a job for his son, who was wheelchair bound (motorized). He works at a university and delivers food and supplies from one part of campus to another. He has a wagon which is hitched up to the back of his chair that allows him to haul the items. I don't remember if he has someone who walks with him or not, but he did have help loading and unloading.

As I recall, there were several requirements to the job, but the only one that I remember is that it had to be a job at which he could be successful and filled a need in the community. In otherwords, it wasn't just busy work that if his position was eliminated, no one would notice.

So, if you can't a job, think about creating one. :)

Good luck and I will be watching to see what you come up with.

[1234alex]

wheeliebird, glad to BE BACK!! :D :D

[RathyKay]

I don't have a lot... some of it's been touched on. I saw a wheel-chair bound CPer working at the movie theater "tearing" tickets when people went into the lobby. It was an indoor job, and she used a hole-punch in one hand.

We also have HOPE services (http://www.hopeservices.org/) which, I *think* offers job opportunities. They operate a doggy daycare (http://www.youluckydogz.com/) with internships. I haven't really looked into it too much, but saw an article in the paper a while back and it seemed like a good program. I remember my dad (he's a dentist) saying that one of the local dentists retired early to start a boarding kennel with the idea that his son would be able to run it with minimal help once the dad passed away.

[knowamiracle]

I have heard that Goodwill stores hire people with disabilities. Aggie

[taft]

I have heard that Goodwill stores hire people with disabilities. Aggie

Im really leary of that organization. I have heard of people who were mr making a dollar an hour to sort hangers. My feeling is that they make Huge profits (and they do make huge profits trust me) on donated goods the least they can do is pay people with mental disabilities minimum wage even if it is just sorting hangers.

[1234alex]

Taft, keep in mind that those on SSDI can only make a certain amount of money in order to keep benefits. They usually do not make minimum wage as it all has to be figured in to their total income.

[Mother's Heart]

I know nothing about goodwill stores and don't doubt what you say.....but another possibility is that folks on SSA are(or were) only allowed to earn a certain amt of money per week to retain their SS benefits. I remember a friend who worked in a sheltered workshop but only was paid about half min wage...exactly what was allowed for her to remain on Supplemental Social Security.

[taft]

Im aware of that having worked in a residential setting but that isn't the case with this particular situation 3 hours a week at a dollar and hour isn't going to put you over unless the goverment hasn't gotten even more stingy than I thought. :) I think goodwill is probably a great service to alcholics and people with physical limitations I just don't think they are as accomdating as they are made out to be for all disabilities.

[Brandon's Mom]

Well I sat down yesterday and spent 4 hours preparing my paperwork to take to Brandon's IEP meeting. After doing some basic interest surveys with him, talking with him, and giving him your ideas as well as other's that I had thought of, we were able to compile a list of 12 jobs that he's interested in giving a try.

I was more than a little sad when he told me what he DOESN'T want to do, which is wipe tables, shred documents & work in a restaurant, because that is what they had him doing last year and have him doing again now. This means that they aren't talking to him about what he likes/dislikes, or they know he doesn't like it but are making him do it anyway.

I am armed with tons of information now and by golly, I plan on getting the right placements for Brandon so that he can enjoy his work experience and learn from it. I don't really feel much pressure, but I know that when I go in there on Monday I will be speaking not only for Brandon, but also his classmates and all the other students that are supposed to be receiving services from this job coach. His teacher and I had a long conversation about the state of the work experience program and I promised her that I will get them to change the system; she is unable to fight for the changes because her principal is a B* who won't support her. With the director of special education there at the IEP I WILL be heard and I've got years of successful advocating behind me, so I have total confidence in my ability to once again make the school system here change their way of business to put the students' needs first. :rolleyes:

Yesterday I got a chance to really go over the new transition paperwork that the state is using and I found a very interesting tidbit of information--- the state of Arizona expects students who are 16 and over in SE, to be in direct job training 35% of their school week and 19 and over are supposed to have it 50% of their week. Brandon is going to be 19 this month and the most he has worked is 4 hrs in a week.

I'm going to rattle some cages on Monday and I am pumped up and ready to do it. As much as I hate fighting the school system, right now I welcome it because my own health is so bad. It's been very hard for me to concentrate, to get the paperwork in order, but just thinking about something and feeling useful has been uplifting to my very bruised morale.

A special thanks goes out to Vicki and Pansy in CA, you women have been my inspiration for years and I hope I do you proudly as a protege. ;)