Employing People With Disabilities & Learning

Difficulties…

Bob Logelin / Manon Gelinas

Ph: 604.527.5126 (Bob)

E: logelinb@douglas.bc.ca

www.douglas.bc.ca

Introductions

Who are you? Work / volunteer? What would you like

out of the course? What is the meaning

of life?

Introductions

Handouts Correct course? Email addresses Background info. Suggested topics Course content Major concepts

General Information

Books: Call Jen at 527-5479 to arrange Or college book store

Cafeteria Hours: Break Assignments and Due Dates (later) Everything is negotiable

Additional Douglas Contacts

Jen Tassee, Staff support: 604-527-5479

Cheryl Jeffs, Faculty responsible for C.E.: 604-527-5161

Manon Gelinas and Bob Logelin, Instructors

The Course

Comments

Guest Speakers

There is no silver bullet!Points of note:- No silver bullet- Not about your org. but

what methods work (don’t need to defend your orgs. approach

- What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas

- Equal opportunity complainer

Philosophical Influences

People should work People can work Volunteering vs. work? “Pre” means never! Most people with learning difficulties

learn best in real settings

Who are we talking about?This Includes, Among Others...

People with disabilities, primarily cognitive, mental health, etc. I.Q. measures all over the map from severe dd to genius.

People identified as “borderline,” “at-risk,” “high incidence.” If I. Q. measures were accurate commonly between 70 – 90.

Includes the “multi-barriered.”

Not all, but many individuals, may have

A learning difficulty or disability

Poor self esteem Poor academic skills Limited Experience Limited Skills Somewhat motivated Want a job!

Disability / Difficulty / Barrier Rarely Travels Alone!

Often compounded by: Literacy difficulties Poverty Communications issues 2nd disability History of abuse Lack of supports Transportation Environment & history

Why should employers hire someone with a disability?

Why should employers hire someone with a disability?

% rating average or better than non-dis.

90% performance 86% attendance 90% safety 90% no chg/insure. $25 bill. spend pwr.

…hiring cont. Reduced turnover =

cost savings to employer (P. Hut)

Increase your customer base

85% of retail customers prefer to shop at stores that hire pwd

Factors that influence employer decisions when hiring or retaining Grooming and

hygiene Able to work to a

satisfactory std. Ability to undertake

assigned tasks Ability to work as

part of a team

Post Secondary Education Where do Ministers

and Deputy Ministers send their kids to get an education?

Tim Cordes, Medical Doctor. (by the way,

he’s blind)

Employment What constitutes a

job? What is the difference

between a job and a “placement”?

When do you count someone as employed?

Not a Job!

Volunteering

Not a Job

In fact, shouldn’t even be a placement

Not a job

Sheltered workshop.

Placement (i.e. a job) 12 consecutive weeks

Twenty hours per week or more

Minimum wage plus

(not a training wage)

One employer

Yogi Berra

“We’re lost, but we’re making

good time.”

The difficulties many people face have developed over a lifetime. Short term solutions simply won’t work.

We may need to expand the tool kit!

“If the only tool one has is a hammer, soon everything begins to look like a nail!”

Billy Holiday“You need a little love in your life and food in your stomach before you can hold still for some damn

fool’s lecture about how to behave.”

Real Work for Real Pay

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:

Thank you.