Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Employability Skills& Working withIndividuals withDisabilities

Dr. Claudia Otto & Dr. Amber McConnell

October 2015

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Employment In OK

• Civilians Age 18-64 years living in the community 2013o 35.8% of people with disabilities are employedo 75.2% of people without disabilities are

employed

http://www.disabilitycompendium.org/compendium-statistics/employment

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Median Income in OK

• Median earnings, age 16 and over in 2013o Median Earnings: $27,524o People with disabilities: $21,935 o People without disabilities: $28,435 o This is a $6,500 disparity!

http://www.disabilitycompendium.org/compendium-statistics/earnings/5-1-median-earnings-of-civilians-16-years-and-over-in-the-past-12-months-for-the-u-s-

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Accessible orAccommodation• Accessible: available, reachable, and usable

by people, with or without accommodationso general, in advance

• Accommodation: adjustment or modification of the environment to enhance a qualified person with a disability’s participation o individualized, after the facto when accessible is not enougho environment or interactive participationPicture of man in suit, three shadowed

people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of stickman holding a book thinking about a house, money, car, and time

GeneralDisability Categories

• Vision

• Hearing

• Mobility

• Cognitive

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Vision

• Possibly Permanento color blindnesso low visiono total blindness

• Situational or Temporaryo using a Smartphone or tablet outside / in July / at

noon o stuck with black and white documents due to no

color ink in the printer

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

AccessibilityBlind or Visually Impaired• Speak to the individual when you approach him/her• State clearly who you are and speak in a normal tone of voice • When conversing in a group, remember to identify yourself

and the person to whom you are speaking• Never touch or distract a service dog; first ask the owner • Tell the individual when you are leaving the area/the room• Do not attempt to lead the individual without first asking• Allow the person to hold your arm and control his/her own

movements• Be descriptive when giving directions; verbally give the

person information that is visually obvious to individuals who can see

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

AccommodationsPeople with Vision Disabilities• Closed Circuit TV (CCTV)

o magnifies text/images beyond hand-held magnifier• Alternate Format

o large printo different colorso braille

• Large Print/Keys Keyboard• Software Zoom• Screen Reading Software• Time Off for Training

o service animalo assistive technology

http://askjan.org/media/visi.htm

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Hearing

• Possibly Permanento partial hearing losso total hearing loss

• Situational or Temporary o loud roomo bad acousticso forgot ear buds

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

AccessibilityDeaf or Hard of Hearing • Gain his/her attention before starting a

conversation• Look directly at the individual• Face the light• Speak clearly and in a normal tone of voice• Keep your hands away from your face• Use short, simple sentences• Avoid smoking or chewing gum while speaking• Speak directly to the person, not the sign language

interpreter• Let the phone ring longer than usual Picture of man in suit, three shadowed

people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

AccommodationsPeople with Hearing Disabilities

• Sign Language Interpreter• Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) Service• Written/Typed Communication

o text, email, pen and paper• Speech Amplification• Text Telephone (TTY) / Telecommunication Device (TDD)• Vibrating Personal Pager• Face Training Audience (so person who is deaf can read lips)• Provide Training Material in Advance

http://askjan.org/media/deaf.htmPicture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Mobility

• Possibly Permanento limited dexterityo hemi-plegiao quadri-plegia

• Situational or Temporaryo broken dominant hand

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

AccessibilityMobility Impairments • Put yourself at the wheelchair user's eye level• Do not lean on assistive devices• Never patronize people who use assistive devices• Do not assume the individual wants help - ask first• Offer assistance if the individual appears to be

having difficulty• Recognize needed time for the person to arrive• Allow extra time for the person to reach, answer,

manipulatePicture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

AccommodationsPeople with Mobility Disabilities

• Allowance for Personal Attendant• Service Animal• Flex Time for Transportation• Telework• Ergonomics

o desk height, keyboard height, integration with wheelchair

http://askjan.org/media/whee.htmPicture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Cognitive

• Possibly Permanento Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disordero Traumatic Brain Injuryo Dyslexia

• Situational or Temporaryo booking a flight at 9:00 PM on Friday night after a

long week (too many details)

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

AccessibilityCognitive Disabilities• If in a public area with many distractions, consider

moving to a quiet or private location• Be prepared to repeat what you say, orally or in

writing• Offer assistance completing forms or

understanding written instructions• Wait for the individual to accept an offer of

assistance; do not "over-assist" or be patronizing• Provide extra time for decision-making• Be patient, flexible and supportive• Take time to understand the individual and make

sure the individual understands youPicture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

AccommodationsPeople with Cognitive Disabilities

• Reduced Distractions• Uninterrupted Work Time• Planned Breaks• Mentor• Recording of Meetings

o provide meeting agenda and minutes (before and after)• Additional Training Time• Alternate Format

o flow charts, Venn diagrams, color-coding, etc.

http://askjan.org/media/eaps/employmentcogEAP.docPicture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

What Do Employers Want?

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

What skills do employers want from entry-level employees?

• 5 major areas were reported by employers– Basic Skills– Higher Order Thinking Skills– Basic Work Skills– Social Skills– Personal Skills (Ju, Zhang, & Pacha, 2012)

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Basic Skills

• Ability to – Read with understanding– Listen actively– Speak so others can understand– Convey ideas in writing

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Higher Order Thinking Skills

• Ability to – Recognized and correct own mistakes– Use critical thinking– Apply basic math– Solve problems– Negotiate and resolve conflict

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Higher Order Thinking Skills Cont.

• Ability to– Apply basic computer/technology skills– Make plans and work toward goals– Advocate for self– Use creative Thinking

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Basic Work Skills

• Ability to – Be on time– Seek help when needed– Follow schedules– Cooperate with other (team player)– Stay with a task until finished

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Basic Work Skills cont.

• Ability to– Work with people from diverse backgrounds– Monitor quality of work

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Social Skills

• Ability to – Show respect for others– Use appropriate language– Accept authority – Maintain appropriate appearance – Accept criticism– Control self without supervision

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Personal Traits

• Demonstrate– Integrity/honest in work– Responsibility in Work– Ability to adapt to change– Motivation toward work

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

How Do I Get a Job?

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Pie graph depicting Job Qualifications 10%, Attitude, 40%, Communication skills 25%, and Appearance 25%

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Why Wasn’t I Hired?

• Poor personal appearance• Inability to communicate clearly

– Poor voice, and grammar• Lack of goals • Lack of enthusiasm• Condemning past employers

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Why Wasn’t I Hired?

• Late to interview• Does not thank the interviewer for his/her

time• Asks no questions• Lack of knowledge about the business or

the position.

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Employability Skills in the Classroom

HandoutPicture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Personal management skills

• Interacting with Others• Dressing appropriately• Language• Use of technology

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Respecting Diversity

• Treat everyone with respect regardless of age, gender, status or position

• You do not have to like someone to work with him or her

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Employability Skills

• Inform instructor of absence• Take responsibility for catching up on work

from absence • Get to class on time• Turn off phone in class• Do not interrupt the instructor

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Employability Skills Cont.

• Pay attention• Respect instructors food policy• Group work means compromise• Rudeness has no place in the workplace or

classroom

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Interacting with Others

• Address instructors in a respectful manner• Learn from instructors regardless of age,

gender, or background• Ask preferred mode of communication• Submit best work

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Cover Letter Activity (Handout)

• Select an advertisement • Read it• What is the employer asking for?

-essential and desirable criteria• Look for the experience, skills, qualifications

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Table for job add requirementsAnd what the student has to offer

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Cover letter sample.

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

•Questions?

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the background

Picture of man in suit, three shadowed people and a globe in the backgroundThank You !

Claudia Otto, Ph.D.OK Department of Career & Technology Ed

405-743-5596claudia.otto@careertech.ok.gov

Amber McConnell, Ph.D.OU Zarrow Center405-325-8951ambermcc@ou.edu