Career Management: A "Learning" Journey

Summary:
During this kickoff of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, participants in eSight's Assessment 2006 show, in personal terms, where disability employment stands today in the U.S.

From Job Seekers

From Those Under-employed

From Those Who Are Empowered

From Those Who Help Others Get Jobs

Here's How to Complete eSight's Assessment 2006

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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a recognition which started as a single week in 1945 but now has grown into an international, month-long series of events and opportunities to increase the employment of people with disabilities.

This year's official theme is "Americans with Disabilities: Ready for the Global Workforce."

The private sector; federal, state and local governments; and advocacy organizations around the country will use this theme to plan events and programs around the U.S. to showcase the abilities and skills of job candidates who have disabilities.

Across America and beyond, people with disabilities are succeeding (and helping others succeed) in the mainstream workplace.

This month, eSight reaffirms its commitment to help people with disabilities realize their employment and career goals.

That eSight commitment is based on this concept:

Choosing not to be stopped by unfair practices and outright prejudices (and the potential barriers to meaningful employment they present) is an attitude which works in gaining jobs within the mainstream workplace.

People with disabilities who have torn down those barriers and are thriving in meaningful jobs can nurture that same spirit and attitude in others. After all, it helps to hear, first hand, how others in similar circumstances to your own have succeeded.

eSight is the gathering place for learning who has done what in successfully addressing disability employment barriers and how they did it.

Since September 20, 2006, I have been inviting you to complete Assessment 2006, a quick questionnaire about how you describe your employment situation, how you use eSightￂﾮ and what we can do to improve our services to you as an eSightￂﾮ member.

In reviewing all of the feedback eSightￂﾮ members have submitted so far through Assessment 2006, I recall most vividly this comment from T.H:

"Treat managing your career with a disability as a journey of 'learning' for both you and your employer/colleagues. At times, even we need to be educated about how to best cope with various situations."

But T.H. is not the only Assessment 2006 participant who has captured where the U.S. in particular stands in terms of disability employment and eSight's approach to it. Consider these tidbits from the Assessment 2006 results, which describe in personal terms where we stand today as a society in terms of hiring people with disabilities.

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From Job Seekers

N.A.:

"I am visually impaired and find some employees say I don't have enough experience, even though I have what is required. They see me for my disability ￂ? not my abilities."

J.L.:

"Even though an eSight article may not seem relevant to my circumstances, I will read it, and sometimes I discover a resource, a name or a tip I might mot have found anywhere else.

"I maintain a running list of eSight articles which I've collected since becoming a member in 2002, and I find myself referring to them for personal use as well as for referrals to others."

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From Those Under-employed

M.D.

"Most of the materials I handle are handwritten, and sometimes I have equipment problems with forms that not always assessable.

"I'm a single mom and the money I make now assists with raising a child. I'm 44, and it gets harder to find a good job.

E.B.

"I am working in an open space in the lobby, and my desk is placed in front of an active door way. On the left side of my desk there is an active revolving door used daily by our guest and visitors. Everyone has access to my desk; I have no personal space to store my pocket book and coat. I am working on confidential files in the lobby. The lobby is constantly active, and employer refuses to provide a cubical space...

"I'm not getting the correct training -- with consideration towards learning at a slower but an effective pace."

T.P.:

"The eSight newsletter is a great resource, and I usually share each issue with many individuals."

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From Those Who Are Empowered

E.P.:

"I would like to offer a word of advice to students with disabilities who are attending college. If you have extra time between classes and are looking for work, a student job could be very beneficial. Those who have applied for financial aid and have received a work study award may be qualified for a wide variety of student jobs. Pick one that offers activities you like. It will give you something else to add to your resume after you graduate and will help increase your chances of finding full-time work."

M.H.:

"In a large organization, the issue of (continually) changing personnel means that knowledge about disability issues is not constant...

"I have used the process of questioning a line manager in the following manner. It actually allows the issue to be tabled in a very incisive but non-aggressive manner. When I was faced with a system decision that discriminated against me based on my disability, I phoned my line manager, described the situation, and asked him, 'How should I feel about this?' The question had the desired effect by placing the other in the position I faced."

I.A.:

"Even if you are feeling unsure of yourself, act as if you are full of confidence. Before you know it you will start gaining self-confidence...

"Although some of the Internet search engines are great, I found my job by simply doing a Google search, using the type of job and location. For example, you might type "elementary schools New York City." Then you might send cover letters and resumes to the schools you are interested in."

I.V.:

"One of the toughest issues is figuring out whether to disclose having a disability. I initially decided not to disclose, and that created an additional barrier for me because employers were focusing on what I could not do instead of what I had to offer. I was getting more calls after disclosing. It seems that, when they saw my credentials and saw that I was blind, they assumed I had the skills."

S.H.:

"Know your strengths and weaknesses and work both to your advantage. Make sure your supervisor is willing to work with you on your strengths -- not just focus on your weaknesses."

E.L:

"Know which jobs and which careers are suitable for your personality and emotional makeup."

A.E:

"I should clarify that my basic disability isn't sight impairment but rather psychiatric disability (to be specific, schizoaffective disorder). Now that you've all taken a deep breath (smile), I want to emphasize that many, many other people with mental illness could derive great benefit from your remarkable site."

C.B.

"Keep a sense of humor and a sense of pride with all you are able to do.

"Stay on top of technology. It is our future at work and at home.

"I find sharing articles with co-workers is a good way to pass the word around that my employer is doing everything it can -- or that maybe things could be better. All in all, my supervisor and co-workers seem to look out for me."

J.M.:

"Examine your professional experience and education and set realistic career objectives, starting with the type of job you can perform. This is particularly true for those who, like myself, became blind after years in the workforce.

"Have an open mind as far as the new field you may need to shift to.

"Fortunately for me, I got hired soon after learning about eSight, so I have not participated in many of the discussions. However, I must say my job search became more focused after attending a job forum organized by eSight last fall."

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From Those Who Help Others Get Jobs

P.D.:

"Seek attitude and assertiveness training. Believe in yourself, believe you can get a meaningful job and put forth the effort needed to get that job."

K.H.:

"Network with as many people as possible when looking for a job, even if you don't think they can be of any help to you. You never know. That individual might be able to put you in contact with an employer.

"Finding a job and managing a career is a personal responsibility no one else can carry out for you."

D.P.:

"Acquire social skills and a knowledge of work culture."

V.N:

"Market yourself within your own (growing) network of professional associations, groups, churches, schools etc."

S.K.

"Many people consider the inclusion of people with disabilities as a favor (which it is surely not). Perhaps it's a favor in both directions."

L.D.:

"The world does not owe people with disabilities something.

"The first job to gain experience is often the hardest. Sometimes volunteer work, internships, on-the-job training programs and/or school/work experience programs can provide that much-needed experience.

"I encourage blind individuals who have computers to go to eSight, where they can actively participate by asking questions or responding to questions. eSight addresses individual needs."

V.N.:

"I have a huge group of employers to whom I send a weekly inclusion message, and I use your articles often to do so.

"Sell what the employer wants/needs ￂ? not necessarily your experience only."

F.B.:

"I have taken on board many of the suggestions made by job seekers and employers."

R.R.:

"Job hunting is serious work. Start each day by getting up at a regular hour. Pick a time (7 a.m.) and stick with it. Get dressed as if you are going to work. Start making the calls to the leads at the same hour each day (such as 9:30)."

If you have not already completed eSight's Assessment 2006 about how you describe your employment situation, how you use eSight and what we can do to improve our services to you as an eSight member, please do so now.


Here's How to Complete eSight's Assessment 2006

If you're unemployed and need a job, go to: "Assessment 2006: Job Seekers."

If you work but you're in a situation that is frustrating and not meaningful for you, go to:
"Assessment 2006: Under-employed."

If you're satisfied with your present work situation,
go to: "Assessment 2006: Empowered."

If you help other people get jobs, go to: "Assessment 2006: Professionals."

Your feedback is very important to us because it helps us in program planning and helps in fundraising.

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