Start my intake for Vocational Rehab next week

[artfull dodger]

Giving Vocational Rehab a second chance next week. First go around the lady that does the intake was very confrontational, only wanted to focus on some trouble I had in my past and had no idea how to talk to someone on the spectrum. I got backed into a corner to the point I shut down, at which time I got up and left. She nolonger handles the intake and I am meeting with someone else this time. I have to go thru them to get placed with a center in a neighboring town that deals with autistic adults and job placement. So far, on my own and thru staffing companies, all the places I could work is 3rd shift(to much upset to my routine) and tons of overtime, like 50-70 hours week on off shifts. That is way to much for me to handle and not enough down time. None of them want to give any accomidation for disablities like letting my wear my noise canceling headset or just holding me to 40 hours a week maximum. So, I am hoping the Peak center can place me somewhere, even in thier sheltered workshop if necessary. I just need to get back to work, this not working is making me feel like a burden to everybody. Mike

 

[Gritches]

I hope things work out for you this time around. You know, I could be wrong, but I believe the headphones and limiting hours are reasonable accommodations that don't place an undue burden on the employer, maybe do a free consult with a disability lawyer?

 

[artfull dodger]

The employers wont come outright and say they wont accomidate, they walk that "line" in the sand between discrimination and not. Most just never call me back or make a job offer. I know what I need to be able to be productive, so I do not hide my disablity as it will make or break a job and trying to do a job where I am under constant overstimulation, is a bad idea for me.

 

[Grandmother B]

Giving Vocational Rehab a second chance next week. First go around the lady that does the intake was very confrontational, only wanted to focus on some trouble I had in my past and had no idea how to talk to someone on the spectrum. I got backed into a corner to the point I shut down, at which time I got up and left. She nolonger handles the intake and I am meeting with someone else this time. I have to go thru them to get placed with a center in a neighboring town that deals with autistic adults and job placement. So far, on my own and thru staffing companies, all the places I could work is 3rd shift(to much upset to my routine) and tons of overtime, like 50-70 hours week on off shifts. That is way to much for me to handle and not enough down time. None of them want to give any accomidation for disablities like letting my wear my noise canceling headset or just holding me to 40 hours a week maximum. So, I am hoping the Peak center can place me somewhere, even in thier sheltered workshop if necessary. I just need to get back to work, this not working is making me feel like a burden to everybody. Mike

There should be plenty of employers who work with people with disabilities. It doesn't sound like your Voc. Rehab people are really trying to find one. My grandson is having the same trouble. They are supposed to help him find a job. All they have done is have him see them once a week, ask him the same questions over and over; have him tell them where he wants to apply, etc. You might do some looking on your own; explain your condition up front and ask them if they could make accommodations. Good luck!

 

[artfull dodger]

I have been looking, The first go around I never made it thru the intake due to the lady doing the intake meeting being insensitive to someone on the spectrum. Once I go thru the intake meeting, I can choose who I want to be my provider. This will be the Peak center as they work with only those on the spectrum. They help with job placement and even have thier own sheltered workshop on site. I am slowly growing my own business of mowing lawns and fixing mowers. On the Spectrum Lawn Care is my pride and joy and hopefully can support me in a few years. Mowing 3-6 yards a week right now. Mike

 

[Meistersinger]

Depending on what state you reside in, OVR is worse than useless. Most of those counselors are poorly trained, and have NO experience dealing with those of us on the spectrum. I've run into counselors that have flat out told me that ADA is meant for those with Physical , neurological (as in stroke) and intellectual disabilities, and those of us with mental and developmental disabilities are fakers and need to "suck it up, buttercup!" And stop being a special snowflake.

 

[Karen S.]

My State's Rehab was awful to deal with, they know nothing about HFA! They were encouraging me to lie on Applications, they don't "get" us at all! They told me that my instructor at the Community College had given me incorrect information to get me into my chosen field (Medical Coding). They wanted me to do a typing test using an old CRT Monitor! First of all, I can't type at all if anyone is Watching me, and I couldn't read the screen because of the curves and distortion on those old monitors! I ended up in tears (my meltdown form) and they (it was three on one) were complaining because they didn't know that I was "depressed"! Eventually my hell with them ended after my vision started giving me problems (double vision, and the first surgery was unsuccessful) it took about nine months to have my vision corrected and they didn't believe me when I reported the issue. Thankfully I'm now receiving SSDI, so I don't have to deal with those Fools anymore!

 

[Grandmother B]

I have been looking, The first go around I never made it thru the intake due to the lady doing the intake meeting being insensitive to someone on the spectrum. Once I go thru the intake meeting, I can choose who I want to be my provider. This will be the Peak center as they work with only those on the spectrum. They help with job placement and even have thier own sheltered workshop on site. I am slowly growing my own business of mowing lawns and fixing mowers. On the Spectrum Lawn Care is my pride and joy and hopefully can support me in a few years. Mowing 3-6 yards a week right now. Mike

That is fantastic!! There are big bucks to be made in lawn care. And you can work as much or as little as you need to. Best of luck!!

 

[Grandmother B]

The employers wont come outright and say they wont accomidate, they walk that "line" in the sand between discrimination and not. Most just never call me back or make a job offer. I know what I need to be able to be productive, so I do not hide my disablity as it will make or break a job and trying to do a job where I am under constant overstimulation, is a bad idea for me.

I think that does happen. My grandson just stopped being given any hours at his grocery store job. Never knew why.