Transcript UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITIES for Careers and Transitioning

UNLOCKING
OPPORTUNITIES
for Careers and Transitioning
Krista M. Davis, O.D.
Columbia Lighthouse
Statistics
 119,386,252 total USA population
 4,453,200, population over 40, with vision
impairments and blindness
 Approx. 82,000 children in public schools
with vision impairments
 16 million patients in USA with Diabetes
 Diabetes leading cause of blindness in
working age adults in USA
Obtained 2000 census and Prevent Blindness America
Top Five Barriers to Employment
 POVERTY – 96% listed as number 1
 Employer discrimination – 59%
 Lack of education and resources – 48%
 Employers lack of awareness – 44%
 Lack of necessary technologies – 35%
Obtained through the Journal of Vision
Impairments and Blindness (JVIB)
Addressing Barriers
 Educating employers
Show success stories and utilize technology to
decrease employer concern
Know the technology and how to access it
Know the cost!
 Training employees
 Working with resources to obtain
technology/ equipment
Creating Partnerships
 Identify the employer’s need
 Know the cost and expectations
 Identify external KEY partners
 Identify the necessary technology and cost
 Know your candidate pool and identify their
strengths
 Establish new training programs to increase
the skill sets of candidates
 Create a WIN-WIN-WIN situation
 FOLLOW THROUGH!
Track Your Candidates
 Know your market and your candidates.
 What types of employment are your
candidates looking for?
 How do you access them?
 What skills to they have?
 Do they meet the employers need? If not…
 How can you assist them?
 What programs and training do you offer?
CLB Success Stories
 VAMC Switchboard
 State Department Mailroom
 Arrow Financial Services
 Jackson and Campbell
 Andrews AFB
 AAA MidAtlantic
 Supply Cart Stores
Transitioning
 Job or further education?
 Skill level?
 Career interest inventory
Transition Strategies
 Support groups
 Summer programs
– Social skills
– Academic enrichment
 Identification of available programs
– NASA Goddard summer jobs
 Volunteer opportunities
 Internships
Additional Resources
 Scholarships and grants
 Available community resources
– Rehabilitation Services
– Para transit
– Alternate formats
Navigating the Rapids of Life
 Videotape and booklet from APH
– Focuses on employment success for young
people with visual disabilities
 Teaches incidental learning, organizational
skills, compensatory skills and social skills
 Available as part of Transition Tote system
– Assists high school students as they explore and
prepare for the world of work