Career Services and AAP Welcome You!!

“Career Development is a Lifelong Journey, Not a Destination” Focusing on Abilities – Working with a Disability: Job Search Strategies for a Competitive Marketplace “Career Development is a Lifelong Journey, Not a Destination”

Common Experiences Time Away From Activities Overprotection Remedial Education Overprotection Low Expectations Lack of Societal Understanding Impediments Activities – build valuable skills, like social skills; also help learn about interests Understanding – Society may think your limitations are different than they actually are Impediments – the disability may effect work in certain ways

Keep in Mind – Individual Characteristics Type of Disability Severity Age of Onset Identity Issues Type – does it effect social skills, processing info, organization, ability to perform a physical task Severity – emphasis on the individual Age of Onset – Congenital vs Acquired

Legal Issues – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Employers with 15 or more employees: Must NOT discriminate against qualified individuals Must provide “reasonable accommodations” Employees: Satisfy work requirements Be able to perform essential functions of a job Qualified Individual – may include areas of education, employment experience, skills or licenses Examples of Reasonable Accomodations – providing or modifying equipment or devices, job restructuring, part-time or modified work schedules, reassignment to a vacant position, adjusting or modifying examinations, training materials, or policies, providing readers and interpreters, and making the workplace readily accessible to and usable by people with disabilities KEEP IN MIND UNDUE HARDSHIP

What can an Interviewer ask? http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/ada18.html

An Interviewer CANNOT: Ask if you are disabled Ask about disability nature or severity Ask you to take a medical examination before hiring

An Interviewer CAN: Ask if you can perform essential functions with reasonable accommodations Ask you to describe or demonstrate your abilities to do a particular duty

Employer Advice Only tell an employer during the interview if an essential function will be effected Be honest about your abilities and your limitations Have a plan going in, know what you want to say and how much you would like to tell them

Employer Advice Talk with employer about specific ways that they can help Adjustments may be small

Those Who have had Success: Set Goals Retain a Sense of Control Act as a Self-Advocate If you don’t, who will?

What Should You Be Doing? Start Today Explore Talk to Professors Volunteer Job Shadow Internships Summer Work Find a Mentor Job Fairs

What Should You Be Doing? Network…constantly Responsible for filling 70-80% of jobs Know your own strengths and weaknesses Understand your disability Share with those who can help (counselors, professors, mentors, etc.) Know your own interests and values Networking – helps others to see your abilities, hard work ethic, and positive attitude Strengths/Weaknesses – ALL students should figure out how these will effect potential employment Use strengths to your advantage and figure out how best to work with your weaknesses Personal Decision Understanding – others can better serve you if they understand

What Should You Be Doing? Have a plan Know what you are willing to share with an interviewer Prepare to adjust Set Goals Self Advocate Goals – think of values and interests; may include type of work, salary, work hours

What Should You Be Doing? Stay Positive and Persistent

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Useful Resources The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/ada18.html Coe College Career Services http://www.coe.edu/studentlife/careerservices/default.shtml