Last week I finally got documentation from the government telling me I do qualify for a disability workplace placement program, which I guess is good news. Stabilizes my situation by quite a bit, since now I know I don?t have to go through all kinds of hoops to get adequate education at my own expense (and to add, most likely some kind of course I wouldn?t even like) and enroll in the regular job market, where it?s a minefield for everyone as of now with cutbacks and all. It?s often not getting a job that?s hard? keeping a job, since it?s turned into competition, that?s the hard part.
So anyway; got the document, read through it, check out what they?d come up with in terms of accommodations based on what I told them, what my files say and what would work for me in a sensible way.
I?m thankful this kind of program exists, so I don?t want to be all negative about it. But I guess it?s fair to think about what?s in the file and what it means.
It might also be interesting to see how this holds up to some kind of ?aspie-standard? since I?m quite sure that a lot of people on the spectrum would say ?yes, I need this for myself?. Unfortunately I don?t know if these programs exist elsewhere, since I?m not familiar with rules, regulations and programs abroad. But I do want to share some insights about this, including all the accommodations the document states.
According them, and what?s in the document. ?The most important accommodations?, which doesn?t rule out minor issues, I guess.
Seems like a decent list to work from. The document also states that I do not get an appointed coach of sorts at the job and thus I do not qualify to get employed in so-called ?disability workshops? but I should get employed in a regular company, just with the addition of adjustments they?d have to make. I must however add, that its government funded. The adjustments to be made and the price that comes with it come from funding from the government.
So this all looks good on paper. The biggest set-back probably is that because of the small amount of companies participating in these programs, which is also why I?ll be appointed to a company, rather than have the luxury of selecting one, though it saves me the hassle of job application, is that there?s a 5 year waiting list. Which means that by 2018 somewhere I?ll probably finally have a job and my own income rather than depending on government support, like I'm doing right now. I?ll see how that breaks down in the end and what kind of job I?ll end up with.
What?s interesting to note is that while they?re not these ?solid? adjustments to be made like ?an adjustable chair? for someone with severe backpains, some of these adjustments are pretty harsh restrictions for the general work floor I think. Unless they?d lock me up for 6 hours a day in an office that?s soundproof and provide me with a challenging task. A quiet environment is hard to enforce I guess. No pressure to finish a job alongside enough autonomy makes it seem like someone is just ?keeping himself busy? rather than being an asset for the company. And to add, 30 hours a week, with regular hourly wages. It?s not a job with half pay. And approach, instructions and guidance for someone with autism aren?t jobs for a regular supervisor in a lot of cases.
That?s probably where my aspie-experience kicks in and I think how these written accommodations are a totally different deal compared to practice.
The upside of all of this, is that my exemption from regular job hunting has been extended for the next 5 years as well. That adds less worries over being screwed over by the local government for not taking my case serious in terms of employment. It?s an actual law that someone who gets involved in this program, is exempt from regular job hunting activities.
I could go look for a job on my own right now. The problem with this is however, if I would, I?m waiving my rights to get support. And this placement program is currently more of a chance to get a job in the long run than going by temp agencies. I guess I should spend my time until I get in talks about employment good. Maybe learn a skill here or there, pick up some languages, maybe get better at some of my interests, since I?m quite sure that learning a lot of new things when having a daily job, might be an issue? being busy with stuff (and good at it as well) might actually be a more solid basis. At least I?ve got some closure and reassurance about the foreseeable future without having to worry an awful lot.
So anyway; got the document, read through it, check out what they?d come up with in terms of accommodations based on what I told them, what my files say and what would work for me in a sensible way.
I?m thankful this kind of program exists, so I don?t want to be all negative about it. But I guess it?s fair to think about what?s in the file and what it means.
It might also be interesting to see how this holds up to some kind of ?aspie-standard? since I?m quite sure that a lot of people on the spectrum would say ?yes, I need this for myself?. Unfortunately I don?t know if these programs exist elsewhere, since I?m not familiar with rules, regulations and programs abroad. But I do want to share some insights about this, including all the accommodations the document states.
According them, and what?s in the document. ?The most important accommodations?, which doesn?t rule out minor issues, I guess.
- Quiet working environment with a minimum amount of stimulation
- Enough autonomy to do a job his own way
- Solitary tasks
- Employment of a certain intellectual level that matches his qualities and intelligence
- Clear and concise guidance
- Clear and concise instructions
- No pressure to finish job
- Provide clear structure
- Additional guidance and an overall positive and non-hostile way of approach
- A limited amount of interruptions on said job
- A maximum of 30 hours a week; about 6 hours a day in normal shifts.
Seems like a decent list to work from. The document also states that I do not get an appointed coach of sorts at the job and thus I do not qualify to get employed in so-called ?disability workshops? but I should get employed in a regular company, just with the addition of adjustments they?d have to make. I must however add, that its government funded. The adjustments to be made and the price that comes with it come from funding from the government.
So this all looks good on paper. The biggest set-back probably is that because of the small amount of companies participating in these programs, which is also why I?ll be appointed to a company, rather than have the luxury of selecting one, though it saves me the hassle of job application, is that there?s a 5 year waiting list. Which means that by 2018 somewhere I?ll probably finally have a job and my own income rather than depending on government support, like I'm doing right now. I?ll see how that breaks down in the end and what kind of job I?ll end up with.
What?s interesting to note is that while they?re not these ?solid? adjustments to be made like ?an adjustable chair? for someone with severe backpains, some of these adjustments are pretty harsh restrictions for the general work floor I think. Unless they?d lock me up for 6 hours a day in an office that?s soundproof and provide me with a challenging task. A quiet environment is hard to enforce I guess. No pressure to finish a job alongside enough autonomy makes it seem like someone is just ?keeping himself busy? rather than being an asset for the company. And to add, 30 hours a week, with regular hourly wages. It?s not a job with half pay. And approach, instructions and guidance for someone with autism aren?t jobs for a regular supervisor in a lot of cases.
That?s probably where my aspie-experience kicks in and I think how these written accommodations are a totally different deal compared to practice.
The upside of all of this, is that my exemption from regular job hunting has been extended for the next 5 years as well. That adds less worries over being screwed over by the local government for not taking my case serious in terms of employment. It?s an actual law that someone who gets involved in this program, is exempt from regular job hunting activities.
I could go look for a job on my own right now. The problem with this is however, if I would, I?m waiving my rights to get support. And this placement program is currently more of a chance to get a job in the long run than going by temp agencies. I guess I should spend my time until I get in talks about employment good. Maybe learn a skill here or there, pick up some languages, maybe get better at some of my interests, since I?m quite sure that learning a lot of new things when having a daily job, might be an issue? being busy with stuff (and good at it as well) might actually be a more solid basis. At least I?ve got some closure and reassurance about the foreseeable future without having to worry an awful lot.
