Any social workers out there?

[karenmeal 0]

If there are any social workers out there or perhaps people with experience working with folks with disabilities I would appreciate a bit of help with some brainstorming.

I'm trying to create some functional speech therapy activities for one of my clients and help them find a more appropriate job.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[AggieDave 6]

Is it only a speech disability? There are many jobs available in the corporate world that is primarily done via electronic communication that would most likely work well. There are even some that could be done from the home with a good internet connection and a laptop. Unfortunately too many times I've seen good people put to work doing jobs such as janitorial work due to a minor disability. Not that there is anything wrong with janitorial work, but these same people could be successful in other career positions. Discrimination is against the law, but still prevalent in the US job market.

If its a severe disability with any sort of major mental health issues they could aways get a job as a DZ.com moderator...

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Lindsey 0]

I was an LSCW before I QUIT that job and went to medical school. :)

What's the situation. It's been quite a few years, but I might be able to dredge up some of those old skills...lol.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[karenmeal 0]

It's a developmental disability with major language problems (speaking, reading, writing..) and mild MR.

Basically I'm trying to find if there are community organizations which provide assistance for folks with special needs, counseling, placement, training.. a special needs vocational counselor is what I need, but how do I find that person? Just through DSHS? We don't directly learn about this sort of thing through our classes, so I don't know where to start.

I get the feeling that my client needs to feel more like they have some direction in their life and are working towards a goal and not just subsisting.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[sunshine 2]

There is a national organization the arc . They should be able to help you find something in your community as most community organizations also belong to the arc.

___________________________________________
meow

I get a Mike hug! I get a Mike hug!

[karenmeal 0]

Thanks Sunny!

That is exactly the kind of organization that I am looking for.

Right now what I'm hoping to do is find several options like that, summarize some information about them and then help my client contact various organizations and decide which is best for them.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[Lindsey 0]

Good, there should also be a Department of Developmental Disabilities within your State Department of Human Services (the exact name may vary by state). Anyway, it would be publicly-funded with certain services that it must provide to people with developmental disabilities.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Quote

Good, there should also be a Department of Developmental Disabilities within your State Department of Human Services (the exact name may vary by state). Anyway, it would be publicly-funded with certain services that it must provide to people with developmental disabilities.

Yes it's DDD here in Washington.

They'll give you some good info, and also some disconnected numbers and dead ends.
Karen you may want to call Seattle Children's Home as well. It isn't what it sounds like -they aren't just a living arrangement. I had their Behavior Support Team out here helping us work with the boys weekly for several weeks. I'm betting they'll have some resources on job opportunities for special needs.

http://www.seattlechildrenshome.org/


Here is where you'll see services that DDD provides for people with developmental disabillities, including employment: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/services.shtml You'd have to contact DDD directly to ask how: Everett office is Toll Free: 1-800-788-2053 . Seattle office is Toll Free: 1-800-314-3296 -so it will depend on where your patient is located as to which office you can call for local services.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.